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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