House OKs Russian-U.S. nuclear site visits

WASHINGTON -- The House has approved legislation calling for exchange visits between the U.S. nuclear test site in Nevada and Russia's test site on an Arctic archipelago. The move is an effort to promote openness in the face of reported signs Russia may be preparing to resume nuclear testing.

Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., who sponsored the amendment, told the House last week that a classified briefing for certain members of Congress had included information on possible "new movement in the area of nuclear weapons and nuclear materials."

The New York Times reported on its Web site Saturday that classified briefings for select House and Senate members included information on a new analysis by the Joint Atomic Energy Intelligence Committee indicating that Moscow is preparing to resume testing at the Novaya Zemlya testing area.

Weldon said in a statement his amendment was designed to promote safety, security and transparency with Russia by urging joint nonproliferation and threat-reduction efforts.