Interview with Alexsandr Krasulin, 1986

Alexsandr Krasulin was associated for many years with the Soviet Institute for Nuclear Research in Moscow. He opens with a discussion of nonproliferation, calling it the only area of common ground between the superpowers in the area of disarmament. Among other related topics he describes Moscow’s nonproliferation policies toward its allies. He is asked about the Atoms for Peace program, noting that the Soviets had their own version, complete with international conferences starting in 1954. He gives his reactions to the programs of France, China, and India, and delineates his concerns about possible developments on the Korean peninsula, and the Middle East. He rejects the proposition that there is a nuclear club that arrogates nuclear-related decisions and standard-setting to itself. He criticizes Israel’s 1981 strike against Iraq’ reactor, and comments on U.S. nuclear exports and the contradiction between commercial and nonproliferation priorities.