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 weapons-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.