The article, "Russia and the U.S. Against Nuclear Terrorism," warned that, should terrorists gain access to WMDs, it could lead to death and devastation on a scale far larger than the attacks of September 11 and other terrorist attacks combined.
The article appeared in Izvestiya to mark the second anniversary of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) announced on May 31, 2003, which Russia joined last year.
The PSI is a global effort to reduce the risk of terrorists, illegal sellers, or violators of non-proliferation regulations, getting hold of WMDs.
"Sixteen training exercises have been held in Europe, Asia and America under the Initiative in the last two years," Lavrov and Rice wrote. "Singapore, Norway and the U.K. will also conduct exercises in the coming months."
"Over 60 states have already announced their support for the PSI. The more parties to the Initiative, the better. The number is constantly growing."
The PSI does not have or need an official infrastructure, secretariat, headquarters or chairman, Lavrov and Rice wrote. It is an agreement that coordinates non-proliferation through cooperation between member states' law-enforcement agencies, military, and foreign ministries.
The PSI sets out its main objectives and working methods in a Statement of Interdiction Principles, which is harmonized with national legal codes and the relevant international norms.
"The PSI is a step in the development of UN Security Council Resolution 1540, which calls on all the UN member countries to 'pool efforts' against proliferation," Lavrov and Rice wrote.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan praised members of the Initiative, which he said was an example of joint efforts that must be taken to cope with the global threat of WMD proliferation.
"The Initiative's success is proof that international cooperation is capable of clamping down on proliferation and preventing the use of vitally important international trade channels for this purpose," Lavrov and Rice wrote.
