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ALBRIGHT LETTER ON EARLY DEACTIVATION
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
WASHINGTON
Dear Mr. Minister:
On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I have the honor to accept the
proposal set forth in your letter of this date to conclude, in connection with the Treaty Between
the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Further Reduction and Limitation of
Strategic Offensive Arms of January 3, 1993, hereinafter referred to as the Treaty, agreement
between our Governments on deactivation of certain strategic nuclear delivery vehicles.
Under this agreement our Governments would agree that upon entry into force of the Treaty, the
United States of America and the Russian Federation shall deactivate, by December 31, 2003, all
strategic nuclear delivery vehicles which will be eliminated under the Treaty, by removing their
nuclear reentry vehicles or taking other jointly agreed steps.
Immediately upon entry into force of the Treaty, the experts of the Parties will begin work
simultaneously both on the understandings concerning methods of deactivation as well as
parameters of an appropriate program of assistance of the United States of America in
implementation of the deactivation mentioned above. Practical steps to implement deactivation
will be undertaken on the basis of these understandings.
The Government of the United States of America notes the statement of the Russian Federation
position on the issue of START III entry into force.
This response together with your letter shall constitute agreement between the Governments of
the United States of America and the Russian Federation, which shall enter into force on the date
of entry into force of the Treaty and shall remain in force as long as the Treaty remains in force.
Please accept, Mr. Minister, the assurances of my highest consideration.
| Sincerely, Madeline K. Albright |
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