THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of
the Press Secretary
(Moscow, Russia)
| For
Immediate Release |
June 4,
2000 |
JOINT STATEMENT
BY 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.
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