[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[June 17, 1992]
[Pages 962-963]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Joint United States-Russian Statement on a Global Protection System

June 17, 1992
    The Presidents continued their discussion of the potential benefits 
of a Global Protection System (GPS) against ballistic missiles, agreeing 
that it is important to explore the role for defenses in protecting 
against limited ballistic missile attacks. The two Presidents agreed 
that their two nations should work together with allies and other 
interested states in developing a concept for such a system as part of 
an overall strategy regarding the proliferation of ballistic missiles 
and weapons of mass destruction. Such cooperation would be a tangible 
expression of the new relationship that exists between Russia and the 
United States and would involve them in an important undertaking with 
other nations of the world community.
    The two Presidents agreed it is necessary to start work without 
delay to develop the concept of the GPS. For this purpose they agreed to 
establish a high-level group to explore on a priority basis the 
following practical steps:
    --The potential for sharing of early warning information through the 
        establishment of an early warning center.
    --The potential for cooperation with participating states in 
        developing ballistic missile defense capabilities and 
        technologies.
    --The development of a legal basis for cooperation, including new 
        treaties and

[[Page 963]]

        agreements and possible changes to existing treaties and 
        agreements necessary to implement a Global Protection System.
    DONE at Washington, this seventeenth day of June, 1992, in two 
copies, each in the English and Russian languages, both texts being 
equally authentic.

FOR THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA

                                                             George Bush

FOR THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

                                                           Boris Yeltsin