Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 28, 1992 TAG: 9203280123
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The extraordinary arrangement with America's one-time arch enemy will permit Washington to buy technology not developed yet in the United States or to obtain products at a fraction of their cost here.
"These transactions clearly signal our desire to normalize trade with the new states," White House press secretary Marlin Fitzwater said.
In the first deals, the United States will pay Russia $8 million for an unfueled Topaz space nuclear reactor, up to $300,000 for Hall thrusters that use electric current to turn space stations and $6 million for plutonium 238 to make nuclear batteries for U.S. deep-space probes.
Fitzwater said it is not anticipated that Russian scientists would come to the United States as part of the transaction.
The deal was described as part of a package of aid being assembled by the United States for hard-pressed republics of the former Soviet Union. The package reportedly will include $1 billion for a fund to stabilize the ruble and a $12 billion increase in the U.S. contribution to the International Monetary Fund.
Bush has been under intense criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike - including former President Nixon - for moving slowly to help the republics make the transformation to free-market economies.
The issue is likely to figure in election-year debate about Bush's mastery of foreign policy.
Administration officials said the technology purchases from Russia were the first in what is hoped will be a long list of deals. While the effort was portrayed as a two-way street, the Russians don't have money to pay for U.S. technology, officials said.
In another development, an agreement to expand private humanitarian aid to Russia was signed at the Russian Embassy.
by CNB