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Newsletter:  May 2002/ Issue 2
Representative Weldon Praises Northwest-Russia Collaboration

U.S. House of Representative Curt Weldon (R-PA) had high praise for Pacific Northwest-Russia cooperation at this year’s Foundation for Russian American Economic Cooperation’s (FRAEC) Annual Dinner. The event was held on April 22 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Seattle with the purpose of sharing insights on U.S.-Russia relations that might prove useful to this region’s international community. Representative Weldon, who is Chairman of the Armed Service Procurement Committee and a renowned proponent for improved relations between the United States and Russia, was the evening’s keynote speaker.

Weldon, now in his eighth term, has worked with Russian leaders on various issues such as improving Russia’s energy supply, remediation of environmental damage, and missile defense. Weldon is also the founder of the Duma-Congress Study Group, which fosters frank and open parliamentary exchange between legislators of the two nations. He recently unveiled, “A New Time, A New Beginning.” The paper cautions against the traditional focus of the United States and Russia on defense and security issues, suggesting that a more comprehensive approach to interactions, including cooperation in the areas of economics, development, public health and agriculture, would be more conducive to good relations.

During his speech to guests and sponsors, Weldon emphasized the current possibilities for improved relations between the two countries in light of the unique relationship between Presidents Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush, and the high level of support that presently exists in the U.S. Congress for strengthening ties. He also stated that activities taking place between the Northwest region and Russia reflect what he would like to see take place in the Northeast.

Weldon praised collaboration between FRAEC and other regional organizations in increasing business and expanding relations with Russia, calling Northwest efforts a “regional model” for what needs to be accomplished. More specifically, he lauded FRAEC’s leadership role in the region, which has extended to a wide array of activities such as small business capacity building, the expedition of custom clearances, and representation of the trade interests of Washington state. Weldon also complimented the collaboration of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), academic institutions and government agencies, and the fostering of close personal connections with counterparts in Russia.

FRAEC, established in 1990, is a premier NGO in business and trade with Russia, and a major stakeholder in Russian affairs within the Northwest. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and FRAEC have jointly labored under the Nuclear Cities Initiative, under which they have established International Development Centers in Zheleznogorsk and Snezhinsk, two of Russia’s closed nuclear cities, with the objective of facilitating the transition from a state to a market economy. The organizations continue to work together to promote economic growth and stability in Russia. FRAEC is also a strategic partner of PNNL’s Pacific Northwest Center for Global Security (PNWCGS), which places great importance on cooperative nonproliferation and security enhancing activities with regional institutions and NGOs.

This April’s Annual Dinner Event was a constructive effort on the part of FRAEC and local organizations to bring together various stakeholders in U.S.-Russian affairs and foster the building of cooperative relationships between entities in the Northwest region with interests in Russia.

Evening sponsors included Battelle Memorial Institute, which manages PNNL for the Department of Energy, Science Applications International Corporation, The Boeing Company, and the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia and Everett.