U.S.-Russia Pact Aimed At Nuclear Terrorism

The NIC, composed of representatives from the CIA, the Pentagon, the Energy Department and other intelligence agencies, noted in the report that the "risk remains" that terrorists could seize weapons or materials. It quoted Russian authorities as saying they "twice thwarted terrorist efforts to reconnoiter nuclear weapons storage sites in 2002." In addition, Chechen groups were reported to have been seen "at several major railroad stations in the Moscow region, apparently interested in a special train used for transporting nuclear 'bombs.' "

Under questioning by Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.) at a hearing last week, CIA Director Porter J. Goss said he could not rule out the possibility that Russian nuclear material has made its way into terrorist hands. "I can't account for some of the material, so I can't make the assurance about its whereabouts," Goss testified.

The NIC expressed doubt that Moscow could keep up to date the security systems being installed with U.S. help. "We are concerned that Russia may not be able to sustain U.S. provided security upgrades of facilities over the long-term, given the cost and technical sophistication of at least some of the equipment involved," the report said.

The agreement to be announced today would commit both countries to closer cooperation, including sharing "best practices" for security at nuclear facilities and creating a senior bilateral group to coordinate nuclear security issues, U.S. officials said. The two countries would develop a plan to provide low-enriched uranium for research reactors in other countries that now use highly enriched uranium that can be processed into weapons-grade fuel.

The centerpiece of the pact would speed up security measures at Russian nuclear facilities, setting a goal of finishing most of them by 2008, when both presidents will be finishing their second and final terms, instead of 2012, the current target.

With U.S. help, Russian facilities have been equipped with double electrified barbed-wire fences and monitors covering about 300 tons of weapons-usable material, said Charles B. Curtis, president of the Nuclear Threat Initiative. But another 300 tons remain uncovered by new security measures, leaving them vulnerable.

"It only takes kilograms, handfuls of kilograms, to make a nuclear device, and so there's an enormous urgency to get this job done at a more rapid pace," Curtis said.

Concern over Russian nuclear security has risen in Congress. "There's been a lot of blowback from the Hill on this subject, and it's caught a lot of attention inside the administration," said William E. Hoehn, director of the Washington office of the Russian American Nuclear Security Advisory Council.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice prepares to speak before President Bush at Wiesbaden Army Airfield in Germany. Bush, who meets today with Russian President Vladimir Putin, faces mounting pressure to confront the Russian on democracy issues. Story, A17.