[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 23 (Monday, June 12, 2000)]
[Pages 1279-1280]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Joint Statement on Principles of Strategic Stability

June 4, 2000

    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.

[[Page 1280]]

    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.

 Note:  An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement, which was formally entitled, ``Joint Statement by 
the Presidents of the United States of America and the Russian 
Federation on Principles of Strategic Stability.''