THE WHITE HOUSE
  
                     Office of the Press Secretary
  
 For Immediate Release                               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 ind 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 agreements and possible changes to existing treaties and agreements necessary to implement a Global Protection System.

  


 For the United States of America:    For the Russian Federation:
  
  
 George Bush                          Boris Yeltsin