Threat reduction funding increase requested

AFTER REQUESTING CUTS for threat reduction and nonproliferation programs last year, the Bush administration has asked Congress to increase funding for the efforts to downsize and secure weapons of mass destruction materials and expertise in the former Soviet Union.

U.S. nonproliferation efforts have received increased attention in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and the increase in requested funding was foreshadowed in late December by the release of a White House review that concluded that most threat reduction programs "work well, are focused on priority tasks, and are well managed." (See ACT, January/February 2002.)

Submitted to Congress February 4, …