(WASHINGTON) – In light of reports of Russian use of ballistic missiles in Georgia and recent pronouncements concerning the use of its nuclear capabilites, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today reiterated her request for the Administration to immediately withdraw from Congressional consideration the proposed U.S.-Russia nuclear cooperation agreement commonly described as the “123” agreement. Statement of Ros-Lehtinen:

Russian statements and actions in recent weeks, particularly its ongoing military campaign against and devastation of Georgia, underline the need to prevent future Russian access to U.S. nuclear technology that would otherwise be authorized under a U.S.-Russia nuclear cooperation agreement.

In the course of its invasion of Georgia, the Russian military employed ballistic missiles against that small country.

After occupying Georgian territory, Russia reportedly deployed SS-21 tactical missiles in Georgia while reportedly practicing attack runs against Georgian territory using strategic bombers flying over the Black Sea.

It has further been reported that the Russian government is now planning to arm Russia’s Baltic Sea naval force with nuclear warheads – at the very time that Russian military officers have threatened to “target” Poland in response to its agreement on a missile defense system with the U.S.

The 123 Agreement with Russia must be withdrawn to prevent the potential future use of U.S. nuclear technology and assistance under such agreement against our democratic allies neighboring Russia.

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