FINDINGS.

SEC. 501. FINDINGS.The Congress finds that it is in the national security interest of the United States— (1) to facilitate, on a priority basis— (A) the transportation, storage, safeguarding, and destruction of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction of the independent states of the former Soviet Union; (B) the prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and destabilizing conventional weapons of the independent states, and the establishment of verifiable safeguards against the proliferation of such weapons; (C) the prevention of diversion of weapon-related scientific expertise of the former Soviet Union to terrorist groups or third countries; and (D) other efforts designed to reduce the military threat from the former Soviet Union; (2) to support the conversion of the massive defense-related industry and equipment of the independent states of the former Soviet Union for civilian purposes and uses; and (3) to expand military-to-military contacts between the United States and the independent states.