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1994-05-02
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<text>
<title>
Science and Technology in the Former Soviet Union
</title>
<article>
<hdr>
CRS Review, August 1992
Science and Technology in the Republics of the Former Soviet
Union
</hdr>
<body>
<p>By William Boseman, specialist in science and technology, CRS
Science Policy Research Division
</p>
<p> Science and technology (S&T) resources and capabilities in
the former Soviet Union are heavily concentrated in Russia,
particularly in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Russia has about
two-thirds of the researchers and major research organizations,
for the former Soviet Union. The second major concentration,
about 17 percent, is in the Ukraine, mainly in Kiev. Belarus is
third with about 4 percent. The other 12 nations of the former
Soviet Union account for approximately 12 percent of total
researchers and 20 percent of total research organizations.
</p>
<p>S&T Resources
</p>
<p> The Soviet Union historically had the largest number of
scientists and engineers (about 1.5 million in 1988),
scientists and engineers per million population (5,387), and
R&D expenditures per GNP (6.2 percent) among the major nations
of the world, but, in terms of scientists and engineers per
million population, (9,398 in 1989) is even more clearly the
leader. But, probably because of the problems in Russia, the
number of Russian scientists and engineers decreased from
1,385,300 in 1989 to 1,227,400 in 1991.
</p>
<p>S&T Capabilities and Crises
</p>
<p> Numbers, however, do not tell the entire story. S&T in
Russia and the rest of the former Soviet Union is strong and
vital in some areas, but weak and deteriorating in many other
areas. For example, some areas of fundamental science and much
military and space research and development (R&D), especially
in Russia, are world class. However, most areas of civilian R&D,
especially in areas like computers and consumer electronics, are
below world standard. Military influence and funding have played
a major role in S&T in the former Soviet Union. Historically,
about half of the funding of the former Soviet Academy of
Sciences has come from the military. Overall, military R&D
accounted for about 75 percent of the state budget allocations
for R&D. About 80 percent of the military R&D was conducted in
Russia.
</p>
<p> A crisis in funding, caused by the broader economic crisis,
is the most serious problem in S&T today in the former Soviet
Union. Most of the limited funds currently available for S&T are
being used for salaries. Consequently, scientific facilities are
deteriorating and needed equipment and supplies cannot be
purchased. This situation seems to be affecting all
laboratories, even the best. A number of former Soviet Union
scientists (but apparently no nuclear weapon scientists) have
left, and there is evidence that a significant number intend to
remain abroad.
</p>
<p>U.S. Response
</p>
<p> The U.S. Government, along with other Western nations, is
providing S&T assistance to the former Soviet Union. Existing
U.S.-Soviet bilateral agreements are considered to be in force
with the individual nations of the former Soviet Union, except
for the three Baltic nations. It is likely that the United
States will enter into S&T agreements with the Baltics in the
future. U.S. Federal agencies are continuing or increasing
their assistance to former Soviet Union nations; the United
States has agreed to provide $50 million to help establish an
International Science Center in Moscow and $10 million for one
in the Ukraine; and related bills have been introduced in
Congress.
</p>
<p> Increased technology transfer between the United States and
the former Soviet Union will benefit both regions. The
Administration recently announced its policy to "actively seek
opportunities to acquire goods, services, and technologies from
the new republics that benefit our economy and other security
interests, and to encourage private business to expand their
search for new opportunities." The Administration also hopes to
further reduce U.S. COCOM controls on U.S. exports of dual-use
technologies to the former Soviet Union to only those most
vital to U.S. security.
</p>
</body>
</article>
</text>