    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 24, 2002]
    [Pages 867-869]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Treaty Between the United States of America and the Russian Federation
    on Strategic Offensive Reductions
    May 24, 2002

        The United States of America and the Russian Federation, hereinafter
    referred to as the Parties,
        Embarking upon the path of new relations for a new century and
    committed to the goal of strengthening their relationship through
    cooperation and friendship,
        Believing that new global challenges and threats require the
    building of a qualitatively new foundation for strategic relations
    between the Parties,
        Desiring to establish a genuine partnership based on the principles
    of mutual security, cooperation, trust, openness, and predictability,

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        Committed to implementing significant reductions in strategic
    offensive arms,
        Proceeding from the Joint Statements by the President of the United
    States of America and the President of the Russian Federation on
    Strategic Issues of July 22, 2001 in Genoa and on a New Relationship
    between the United States and Russia of November 13, 2001 in Washington,
        Mindful of their obligations under 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,
    hereinafter referred to as the START Treaty,
        Mindful of their obligations under Article VI of the Treaty on the
    Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of July 1, 1968, and
        Convinced that this Treaty will help to establish more favorable
    conditions for actively promoting security and cooperation, and
    enhancing international stability,
        Have agreed as follows:

    Article I

        Each Party shall reduce and limit strategic nuclear warheads, as
    stated by the President of the United States of America on November 13,
    2001 and as stated by the President of the Russian Federation on
    November 13, 2001 and December 13, 2001 respectively, so that by
    December 31, 2012 the aggregate number of such warheads does not exceed
    1700-2200 for each Party. Each Party shall determine for itself the
    composition and structure of its strategic offensive arms, based on the
    established aggregate limit for the number of such warheads.

    Article II

        The Parties agree that the START Treaty remains in force in
    accordance with its terms.

    Article III

        For purposes of implementing this Treaty, the Parties shall hold
    meetings at least twice a year of a Bilateral Implementation Commission.

    Article IV

        1. This Treaty shall be subject to ratification in accordance with
    the constitutional procedures of each Party. This Treaty shall enter
    into force on the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification.
        2. This Treaty shall remain in force until December 31, 2012 and may
    be extended by agreement of the Parties or superseded earlier by a
    subsequent agreement.
        3. Each Party, in exercising its national sovereignty, may withdraw
    from this Treaty upon three months written notice to the other Party.

    Article V

        This Treaty shall be registered pursuant to Article 102 of the
    Charter of the United Nations.
        Done at Moscow on May 24, 2002, in two copies, each in the English
    and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic.

     For the                                 For the
     United States of America:               Russian Federation:
      George W. Bush                          Vladimir V. Putin

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this treaty.

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