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Office of the Press Secretary
(Moscow, Russia)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 4, 2000
JOINT STATEMENTBY THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE RUSSIAN
FEDERATION ON PRINCIPLES OF STRATEGIC STABILITY
The Presidents of the United States of America and the Russian
Federation agree on the need to maintain strategic nuclear stability.
Agreements between them help accomplish this objective.
They are dedicated to the cause of strengthening strategic stability
and international security. They agree that capability for deterrence
has been and remains a key aspect of stability and predictability in the
international security environment.
The Presidents, welcoming the ratification of START-II Treaty and
related documents by the Russian Federation, look forward to the
completion of the ratification process in the United States.
They announce that discussions will intensify on further reductions
in the strategic forces of the United States and Russia within the
framework of a future START-III Treaty, and on ABM issues, in accordance
with the Moscow Statement of 1998 and Cologne Statement of 1999 by the
Presidents.
They agree on the essential contribution of the ABM Treaty to
reductions in offensive forces, and reaffirm their commitment to that
Treaty as a cornerstone of strategic stability.
They agree that the international community faces a dangerous and
growing threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their
means of delivery, including missiles and missile technologies, and
stress their desire to reverse that process, including through existing
and possible new international legal mechanisms. They agree that this
new threat represents a potentially significant change in the strategic
situation and international security environment.
They agree that this emerging threat to security should be addressed
and resolved through mutual cooperation and mutual respect of each
other's security interests.
They recall the existing provision of the ABM Treaty to consider
possible changes in the strategic situation that have a bearing on the
provisions of the Treaty, and, as appropriate, to consider possible
proposals for further increasing the viability of the Treaty.
The Presidents reaffirm their commitment to continuing efforts to
strengthen the ABM Treaty and to enhance its viability and effectiveness
in the future, taking into account any changes in the international
security environment.
In reinforcing the effectiveness of the ABM Treaty under present
and prospective conditions the United States of America and the Russian
Federation attach great importance to enhancing the viability of the
Treaty through measures to promote greater cooperation, openness, and
trust between the sides.
The United States of America and the Russian Federation note the
importance of the consultative process and reaffirm their determination
to continue consultations in the future to promote the objectives and
implementation of the provisions of the ABM Treaty.
The key provisions recorded in our agreements and statements,
including at the highest level, create a basis for both countries'
activities regarding strategic arms under present-day conditions.
Such an approach creates confidence that the further strengthening
of strategic stability and further reductions in nuclear forces will be
based on a foundation that has been tested over decades and advances
both countries' interests and security.
The Presidents have directed the development of concrete measures
that would allow both sides to take necessary steps to preserve
strategic stability in the face of new threats, and called on their
Ministers and experts to prepare a report for review by the Presidents.
They agree that issues of strategic offensive arms cannot be
considered in isolation from issues of strategic defensive arms and vice
versa -- an interrelationship that is reflected in the ABM Treaty and
aims to ensure equally the security of the two countries.
The United States of America and the Russian Federation intend to
base their activities in the area of strategic offensive and defensive
arms on the principles set forth in this document.