"The Russians have advanced scientific research programs left over from the Cold War," said Saxton. "Their research may be able to help the United States and global community in the war on terrorism."

Dr. Boris A. Gurovich and Dr. Evgenia A. Kuleshova, who both work at the Kurchatov Institute in Moscow, met with Saxton late this afternoon. The Institute is believed to be in the forefront of developing sensors capable of detecting chemical and biological components. The technology promises to advance security screening and weapons detection.

In February Saxton led an anti-terrorism Congressional delegation to Russia, Germany, Holland and Belarus for talks between members of the House of Representatives, the Russian State Duma, and other officials.

Saxton's trip included briefings at the Kurchatov Institute, a Russian biological, chemical and nuclear research facility, and an address to the Institute of U.S.A.-Canada Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences. The trip was coordinated by the House Armed Services Committee. Saxton chairs the committee's Oversight Panel on Terrorism, as well as its Military Installations and Facilities Subcommittee. He has been a voice in Congress warning of the threat of terrorism for more than 15 years.

"Improved relations between our nations have allowed us to be partners in the war on terrorism," Saxton said. "Warfare and science have spawned chemical and biological threats. Now old superpower adversaries are sitting down and trying to work together to use science to reduce the threat. If the specter of bio-terrorism or chemical terrorism weren't so serious, I think there would be an element of accomplishment in our nations' growing cooperation."
 
Saxton also met with Russian Duma members for anti-terrorism talks in Austria in May 1999, in Moscow in November 1999 and in Washington and Mount Holly, N.J. in July 2000.