|
September 26, 1997
JOINT AGREED STATEMENT
For the purposes of the Treaty
Between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Further
Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms of January 3, 1993
(START II), and without prejudice to the provisions of the Treaty Between
the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms of July 31,
1991, the Parties agree that Article III of START II shall be understood
by both Parties as allowing reductions in the number of warheads attributed
to Minuteman III ICBMs to be carried out at any time before December 31,
2007.
PRIMAKOV LETTER ON EARLY DEACTIVATION
26 September 1997
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Dear Madam Secretary:
On behalf of the Government
of the Russian Federation, in connection with the Treaty Between the Russian
Federation and the United States of America on Further Reduction and Limitation
of Strategic Offensive Arms of January 3, 1993, hereinafter referred to
as the Treaty, I have the honor to propose that agreement be concluded
between our Governments on deactivation of certain strategic nuclear delivery
vehicles.
Under this agreement our
Governments would agree that upon entry into force of the Treaty, the Russian
Federation and the United States of America shall deactivate, by December
31, 2003, all strategic nuclear delivery vehicles which will be eliminated
under the Treaty, by removing their nuclear reentry vehicles or taking
other jointly agreed steps.
Immediately upon entry into
force of the Treaty, experts of the Parties will begin work simultaneously
both on the understandings concerning methods of deactivation as well as
parameters of an appropriate program of assistance of the United States
of America in implementation of the deactivation mentioned above. Practical
steps to implement deactivation will be undertaken on the basis of these
understandings.
Taking into account the supreme
national interests of the country, the Russian Federation proceeds from
the understanding that well in advance of the above deactivation deadline
the START III Treaty will be achieved and enter into force.
This letter together with
your response shall constitute agreement between the Governments of the
Russian Federation and the United States of America, which shall enter
into force on the date of entry into force of the Treaty and shall remain
in force as long as the Treaty remains in force.
Please accept, Madam Secretary,
the assurances of my highest consideration.
| Her Excellency, Madeleine K. Albright, |
| Secretary of State |
| | The United States of America, Washington |
ALBRIGHT LETTER ON EARLY DEACTIVATION
26 September 1997
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
WASHINGTON
Dear Mr. Minister:
On behalf of the Government
of the United States of America, I have the honor to accept the proposal
set forth in your letter of this date to conclude, in connection with the
Treaty Between the United States of America and the Russian Federation
on Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms of January
3, 1993, hereinafter referred to as the Treaty, agreement between our Governments
on deactivation of certain strategic nuclear delivery vehicles.
Under this agreement our
Governments would agree that upon entry into force of the Treaty, the United
States of America and the Russian Federation shall deactivate, by December
31, 2003, all strategic nuclear delivery vehicles which will be eliminated
under the Treaty, by removing their nuclear reentry vehicles or taking
other jointly agreed steps.
Immediately upon entry into
force of the Treaty, experts of the Parties will begin work simultaneously
both on the understandings concerning methods of deactivation as well as
parameters of an appropriate program of assistance of the United States
of America in implementation of the deactivation mentioned above. Practical
steps to implement deactivation will be undertaken on the basis of these
understandings.
The Government of the United
States of America notes the statement of the Russian Federation position
on the issue of START III entry into force.
This response together with
your letter shall constitute agreement between the Governments of the United
States of America and the Russian Federation, which shall enter into force
on the date of entry into force of the Treaty and shall remain in force
as long as the Treaty remains in force.
Please accept, Mr. Minister, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Sincerely,
Madeleine K. Albright |
|
| The Honorable Yevgeniy Maksimovich Primakov, |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs of, |
| | the Russian Federation, New York. |
|
