Excerpts from Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov's 25 June 1996 letter to Secretary of State Warren Christopher on missile defense talks:
Dear Chris,
... We share the opinion that it would be important for the delegations in Geneva to execute the guidance given them on-schedule and that now is the time to concentrate attention, needless to say, on agreement on the wording relating to low-velocity systems....
The list of guidelines for the second phase would thus consist the following elements:
- limits on the parameters of ballistic missile targets (velocity of 5 kilometers per second and a range of 3,500 -kilometers) during tests of high-velocity non-strategic ABM systems.
- A ban on the use of both multiple reentry vehicles on ballistic missile targets and strategic ballistic missile reentry vehicles
during tests of high-velocity non-strategic ABM systems.
- A ban on space-based non-strategic ABM interceptors.
- A ban on space-based tracking and guidance sensors...
- A ban on nonstrategic space-based ABM systems which make use of other physical principles...
- Not imposing a ban on non-strategic ABM systems interceptors equipped with nuclear warheads.
- Discussion of limits on basing of air-launched, high-velocity nonstrategic ABM systems.
- Introduction of limits on the parameters (maximum velocity) for interceptors of high-velocity nonstrategic ABM systems.
- Setting limits on testing conditions for high-velocity nonstrategic ABM systems.
- Setting limits on the number and geography for deployment of high-velocity nonstrategic ABM systems....
We make note of the assurances by the American side that the United States does not plan to conduct flight tests of high-
velocity systems against any kind of targets for the next three years.
Along with this, we understand that the obligation on that account must be of an all- encompassing nature and cover all types of tests of high-velocity systems....
During such tests, as you know, the capabilities of an anti-strategic ballistic missile system could be developed. Such an approach, you will agree, would be fraught with the danger of circumvention of the ABM treaty.
Sincerely,
[signed] Ye. Primakov