§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on discussions held in December 2000 on disposition options for surplus Russian military plutonium; and what role is being played by the G8 in developing a financial strategy to support such assistance to Russia. [145278]
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§ Mr. VazG8 partners are working together to develop a financial strategy to support disposition of surplus Russian military plutonium, through the Plutonium Disposition Planning Group (PDPG).
The PDPG has been tasked by the G8 with developing an international financial plan for plutonium management and disposition, based on a detailed project plan, and a multilateral framework to co-ordinate this co-operation.
It held its first meeting in December and will be meeting monthly to examine available project options, together with financing plans for them, and develop a programme which can be presented to Ministers before the Genoa Summit in July.