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June 4, 2000

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION ON PRINCIPLES OF STRATEGIC STABILITY

                              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



1.  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.



2.  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.



3.  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.



4.  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.



5.  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.



6.  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.



7.  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.



8.  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.



9.  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.



10.  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.



11.  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.



12.  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.



13.  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.



14.  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.



15.  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.



16.  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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