NBC Weapons: July 3, 2003

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Norway and Japan have paid Russia $24 million for the dismantling of decommissioned Russian nuclear submarines near their waters. Norway is particularly concerned about the many abandoned Russia nuclear subs tied up at piers in the Kola peninsula. Japan is concerned about a similar situation at Russian bases across from Japan on the Sea of Japan. Russia says it will ultimately need some $4 billion to safely dismantle 110 decommissioned nuclear subs. But many Norwegians, Japanese and Americans feel there is a bit of extortion in the Russian demands. So the money is not being paid as quickly as it might otherwise.