Fact Sheet The White House, Office of the Press Secretary Evian, France June 2, 2003 Broadening the Partnership To Stop the Spread of Weapons of Mass DestructionPresidential Action
Today, President Bush welcomed the decisions of Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Finland, and Sweden to join the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.
The President also welcomed the progress made in significant Global Partnership projects to reduce and prevent the proliferation of weapons and materials of mass destruction, and weapons delivery systems.
Progress Since Kananaskis: The Global Partnership, which focuses on nonproliferation, disarmament, counterterrorism, and nuclear safety projects in the former Soviet states, was launched at last year's G-8 Summit in Kananaskis. It has since:
U.S. Leadership: The United States has been a driving force behind the Global Partnership and looks forward to continuing this role during its G-8 Presidency. This initiative builds on more than a decade of cooperation between the United States and former Soviet states to reduce weapons and materials of mass destruction stockpiles and to prevent proliferation. From FY 1992 through FY 2003, the United States allocated over $8 billion for these purposes, and President Bush has requested another $1 billion for FY 2004, and has pledged a total of $10 billion over the ten-year period through 2013. |