LOC23:10
20:10 GMT
in Russia
WASHINGTON, June 18 (KUNA) -- The White House announced on Monday the
continuation of the national emergency with respect to the risk of nuclear
proliferation created by the accumulation of weapons-usable missile material
in Russia.
"It remains a major national security goal of the United States to ensure
that fissile material removed from Russian nuclear weapons pursuant to various
arms control and disarmament agreements is dedicated to peaceful uses, subject
to transparency measures, and protected from diversion to activities of
proliferation concern", said President Barack Obama in a letter to Congress.
"The accumulation of a large volume of weapons-usable fissile material in
the territory of the Russian Federation continues to pose an unusual and
extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United
States", he added.
"For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the
national emergency declared with respect to the risk of nuclear proliferation
created by the accumulation of a large volume of weapons-usable fissile
material in the territory of the Russian Federation and maintain in force
these emergency authorities to respond to this threat, concluded Obama in the
letter.
On June 21, 2000, the White House issued Executive Order 13159 blocking
property and interests in property of the Russian Government in the United
States related to this end.
The White House noted in a statement that "the national emergency declared
on June 21, 2000, must continue beyond June 21, 2012, to provide continued
protection from attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or
other judicial process for the property and interests in property of the
Government of the Russian Federation that are directly related to the
implementation of the HEU Agreements and subject to US jurisdiction".
This national emergency was extended by Obama for an additional year. (end)
jm.bs
KUNA 182310 Jun 12NNNN