START TREATY

PROTOCOL ON PROCEDURES GOVERNING CONVERSION OR ELIMINATION*
Section I:	ICBMs for Mobile Launchers of ICBMs and their Launch Canisters
Section II:	Silo Launchers, Silo Training Launchers, and Silo Test Launchers
Section III:	Mobile Launchers of ICBMs, Mobile Training Launchers and Fixed Structures for Mobile Launchers of ICBMs
Section IV:	SLBM Launchers
Section V:	Soft-Site Launchers
Section VI:	Heavy Bombers and Former Heavy Bombers
Section VII:	Removal from Accountability of ICBMs for Mobile Launchers of ICBMs as a result of Flight Tests or Static Testing
Section VIII:	Other Procedures for Removal from or Changes in Accountability
Section IX:	Facilities

^*Note: Titles in this table have been shortened slightly. Only the titles as they appear in the actual Treaty text are official.

PROTOCOL ON PROCEDURES GOVERNING THE CONVERSION OR ELIMINATION OF THE ITEMS SUBJECT TO THE TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS ON THE REDUCTION AND LIMITATION OF STRATEGIC OFFENSIVE ARMS

Pursuant to and in implementation of the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, hereinafter referred to as the Treaty, the Parties hereby agree upon procedures governing the conversion or elimination of the strategic offensive arms limited by the Treaty, as well as fixed structures and facilities.

I. Procedures for Elimination of ICBMs for Mobile Launchers of ICBMs and Their Launch Canisters

1. Elimination of ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs and their launch canisters carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in this Section shall be carried out at conversion or elimination facilities for ICBMs and shall be subject to inspection.

2. Prior to the confirmatory inspection pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Section, the inspected Party:

(a) shall remove the missile's reentry vehicle or vehicles;

(b) may remove the electronic and electromechanical devices of the missile's guidance and control system from the missile and its launch canister;

(c) may remove the missile from its launch canister, remove the missile attachment devices from the launch canister, and disassemble the missile into stages;

(d) may remove propellant from stages;

(e) may remove or actuate auxiliary pyrotechnic devices installed on the missile and its launch canister;

(f) may remove penetration aids, including devices for their attachment and release; and

(g) may remove propulsion units from the self-contained dispensing mechanism.

These actions may be carried out in any order.

3. After arrival of the inspection team, and prior to the initiation of the elimination process:

(a) Inspectors shall confirm the types, and number of each type, of the missiles and their launch canisters to be eliminated by making the observations and measurements necessary for such confirmation. If inspectors are unable to determine the type of the missile in its launch canister, representatives of the inspected Party shall take steps to resolve the problem, including removing the missile from its launch canister, if necessary; and

(b) Inspectors and representatives of the inspected Party shall read the data from and inspect the unique identifier in accordance with Annex 6 to the Inspection Protocol.

After the procedures provided for in this paragraph have been carried out, the inspected Party may remove any remaining elements not subject to elimination pursuant to paragraph 4 of this Section, and the process of the elimination of the missiles and their launch canisters may begin. Inspectors shall observe the elimination process.

4. Elimination process for ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs:

(a) If solid fuel has not been removed from stages, the stages shall be destroyed by explosive demolition or burned;

(b) Rocket nozzles, motor cases, as well as the interstage skirts of a missile remaining after completion of the procedures provided for in subparagraphs 2(d) and 4(a) of this Section, or after the completion of static testing provided for in paragraph 3 of Section VII of this Protocol, shall be crushed, flattened, cut into two pieces of approximately equal size, or destroyed by explosion; and

(c) The self-contained dispensing mechanism, as well as the front section, including the reentry vehicle platform and the front section shroud, shall be crushed, flattened, cut into two pieces of approximately equal size, or destroyed by explosion.

5. Elimination process for launch canisters of ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs:

(a) The body of the launch canister shall be crushed, flattened, or destroyed by explosion; or

(b) If the body of the launch canister is composed of segments, each of the segments shall be cut into two pieces at a location that is not an assembly joint. A launch canister, the body of which is of unitary construction, shall be cut into two pieces of approximately equal size, or cut into three pieces in such a manner that pieces no less than 1.5 meters long are cut from the ends of the body of such a launch canister.

6. Upon completion of the above requirements, the inspection team leader and a member of the in-country escort shall confirm in a factual written report, containing the results of the inspection team's observation of the elimination process, that the inspection team has completed its inspection. This report shall be completed in accordance with Section XVIII of the Inspection Protocol.

7. ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in the Treaty after completion of the procedures provided for in this Section. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

II. Procedures for Elimination of Silo Launchers of ICBMs, Silo Training Launchers, and Silo Test Launchers

1. Elimination of silo launchers of ICBMs, silo training launchers and silo test launchers shall be carried out in situ and be subject to verification by national technical means of verification.

2. Prior to the initiation of the elimination process for silo launchers of ICBMs and silo test launchers, all missiles and shipping containers for ICBMs or ICBM stages, as well as all support equipment, shall be removed at least 1000 meters from each such launcher to be eliminated.

3. A Party shall be considered to have initiated the elimination process for silo launchers of ICBMs, silo training launchers, and silo test launchers as soon as the silo doors have been opened, removed, or eliminated. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 2 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol.

4. A silo launcher of ICBMs in the process of being eliminated shall be considered to contain a deployed ICBM, and thus to be subject to the limitations provided for in Article II of the Treaty, until the procedures provided for in subparagraph 6 (a) of this Section have been carried out. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

5. A silo test launcher or a silo training launcher in the process of being eliminated shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in the Treaty after completion of the procedures provided for in subparagraph 6 (a) or paragraph 7, respectively, of this Section. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

6. Elimination process for silo launchers of ICBMs or silo test launchers:

(a) The silo door shall be removed, dismantled, or destroyed and the silo headworks and the silo shall be destroyed by excavation to a depth of no less than eight meters, or by explosion to a depth of no less than six meters; and

(b) Following completion of the procedures provided for in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, the silo may be filled to the level of the bottom of the hole created by the excavation or explosion. To enhance safety, the resultant hole may be graded during the 180-day period provided for in paragraph 8 of this Section but not filled with earth until expiration of the 90-day period provided for in paragraph 9 of this Section.

7. Elimination of a silo training launcher shall be accomplished by removing, dismantling, or destroying the silo door and by destroying the silo headworks by excavation or explosion.

8. The elimination process for a silo launcher of ICBMs, a silo training launcher, and a silo test launcher shall be completed no later than 180 days after its initiation. If grading was performed during the elimination process, notification of the completion of such an elimination process shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 4 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol.

9. Silos shall remain visible to national technical means of verification during the entire elimination process and for the following 90-day period, after which they may be filled with earth.

III. Procedures for Elimination of Mobile Launchers of ICBMs, Mobile Training Launchers and Fixed Structures for Mobile Launchers of ICBMs

1. Elimination of road-mobile launchers of ICBMs, road-mobile training launchers, rail-mobile launchers of ICBMs, and rail-mobile training launchers carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in this Section shall be carried out at conversion or elimination facilities for mobile launchers of ICBMs and shall be subject to inspection.

2. After arrival of the inspection team and prior to the initiation of the elimination process, inspectors shall confirm the types, and number of each type, of the items listed in paragraph 1 of this Section to be eliminated. After such confirmation, the elimination process may begin. Inspectors shall observe the elimination process.

3. Elimination process for road-mobile launchers of ICBMs and road-mobile training launchers:

(a) The erector-launcher mechanism and leveling supports shall be removed from the launcher chassis;

(b) The framework of the erector-launcher mechanism on which the ICBM is mounted and erected shall be cut at locations that are not assembly joints into two pieces of approximately equal size;

(c) Missile launch support equipment, including external instrumentation compartments, shall be removed from the launcher chassis;

(d) The mountings of the erector-launcher mechanism and of the launcher leveling supports shall be cut off the launcher chassis and each such mounting shall be cut at a location that is not an assembly joint into two pieces of approximately equal size;

(e) A portion of the self-propelled launcher chassis, at least 0.78 meters in length, shall be cut off aft of the rear axle and that portion shall be cut into two pieces of approximately equal size; and no component, including those removed in accordance with the procedures provided for in this paragraph, shall be mounted, welded, or attached by any other means to an eliminated launcher chassis so as to increase the length of such a chassis; and

(f) If a road-mobile launcher of ICBMs is not mounted on a self-propelled launcher chassis, the trailer chassis shall be cut at a location that is not an assembly joint into two pieces of approximately equal size.

Upon completion of these elimination procedures for road-mobile launchers of ICBMs, the vehicle may be used only for purposes not inconsistent with the provisions of the Treaty.

4. Elimination process for rail-mobile launchers of ICBMs and rail-mobile training launchers:

(a) The erector-launcher mechanism shall be removed from the railcar (or flatcar);

(b) The framework of the erector-launcher mechanism on which the ICBM is mounted and erected shall be cut at locations that are not assembly joints into two pieces of approximately equal size;

(c) Missile launch support equipment, including external instrumentation compartments, shall be removed from the railcar (or flatcar); and

(d) The railcar (or flatcar) shall be cut at locations that are not assembly joints into two pieces of approximately equal size.

5. Upon completion of the above requirements, the inspection team leader and a member of the in-country escort shall confirm in a factual written report, containing the results of the inspection team's observation of the elimination process, that the inspection team has completed its inspection. This report shall be completed in accordance with Section XVIII of the Inspection Protocol.

6. Road-mobile launchers of ICBMs, road-mobile training launchers, rail-mobile launchers of ICBMs, and rail-mobile training launchers shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in the Treaty after completion of the procedures provided for in this Section. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

7. Elimination of fixed structures for mobile launchers of ICBMs shall be carried out in situ, shall be subject to verification by national technical means of verification, and shall be subject to inspection pursuant to paragraphs 8 and 9 of Article XI of the Treaty.

8. Elimination process for fixed structures for mobile launchers of ICBMs:

(a) The superstructure of each fixed structure shall be dismantled or demolished, and removed from its base or foundation; and

(b) The base or foundation of each such structure shall be destroyed by excavation or explosion.

Upon completion of the above requirements, the elimination process for those structures shall be considered to be completed. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

9. The destroyed base or foundation of each such fixed structure shall remain visible to national technical means of verification:

(b) until an inspection of each such fixed structure at a restricted area or rail garrison is conducted pursuant to paragraph 8 or 9 of Article XI of the Treaty.

10. Upon completion of the inspection conducted pursuant to paragraph 8 or 9 of Article XI of the Treaty or, if such an inspection was not conducted, upon expiration of the 90-day period provided for in subparagraph 9(a) of this Section, the hole resulting from the excavation or explosion of each such structure may be filled and the remains of the destroyed base or foundation of each such structure may be removed from the restricted area or rail garrison.

IV. Procedures for Elimination of SLBM Launchers

1. Elimination of SLBM launchers carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in this Section shall be carried out at conversion or elimination facilities for SLBM launchers and shall be subject to verification by national technical means of verification.

2. Prior to the initiation of the elimination process for SLBM launchers, all missiles shall be removed from such launchers.

3. A Party shall be considered to have initiated the elimination process for SLBM launchers as soon as the ballistic missile submarine has been positioned at the conversion or elimination facility with all missile launch tubes empty and launch-tube hatches opened or removed. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 2 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol.

4. SLBM launchers in the process of being eliminated shall be considered to contain deployed SLBMs, and thus to be subject to the limitations provided for in Article II of the Treaty, until all the missile launch-tube hatches and their associated superstructure fairings are removed from the ballistic missile submarine. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

5. Elimination process for SLBM launchers:

(a) The missile section shall be removed from the submarine; or

(b) The missile launch tubes, and all elements of their reinforcement, including hull liners and segments of circular structural members between the missile launch tubes, as well as the entire portion of the pressure hull, the entire portion of the outer hull, and the entire portion of the superstructure through which all the missile launch tubes pass and that contain all the missile launch-tube penetrations shall be removed from the submarine. Missile launch tubes that have been removed shall be cut into two pieces of approximately equal size and shall remain in the open in the vicinity of the submarine until completion of the elimination procedures, after which they may be removed from the conversion or elimination facility.

6. The elimination process for SLBM launchers carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in subparagraphs 5 (a) and 5(b) of this Section shall be completed no later than 270 days and 180 days, respectively, after initiation. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 4 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol.

7. A ballistic missile submarine shall remain visible to national technical means of verification during the entire elimination process. If the elimination process has been carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in subparagraph 5(b) of this Section, then upon its completion, the submarine shall continue to be visible to national technical means of verification until provision of the notification provided for in paragraph 4 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol and for no less than the ten-day period following the provision of such a notification.

8. Upon completion of the elimination procedures for SLBM launchers, the submarine may be used for purposes not inconsistent with the provisions of the Treaty after:

(b) replacing the entire portion of the pressure hull, the entire portion of the outer hull, and the entire portion of the superstructure that were removed with portions without SLBM missile launch tubes and penetrations for them, and without SLBM missile launch-tube reinforcements.

Such submarines shall differ from ballistic missile submarines on the basis of external differences observable by national technical means of verification. Submarines that have been modified shall not have vertical launch tubes with a diameter large enough to accommodate the smallest SLBM of that Party.

V. Procedures for Elimination of Soft-Site Launchers

1. Elimination of soft-site launchers shall be carried out in situ and shall be subject to verification by national technical means of verification.

2. Prior to the initiation of the elimination process for soft-site launchers, all missiles, launch canisters, and shipping containers for ICBMs or SLBMs or for their stages shall be removed at least 1000 meters from each soft-site launcher to be eliminated.

3. A Party shall be considered to have initiated the elimination process for soft-site launchers as soon as it has begun implementation of the procedures provided for in subparagraph 4 (a) of this Section. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 2 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol. A soft-site launcher in the process of being eliminated shall remain subject to the limitations provided for in subparagraph 2(d) of Article IV and paragraph 9 of Article V of the Treaty until the procedures provided for in subparagraphs 4(a) and 4(b) of this Section have been carried out. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

4. Elimination process for soft-site launchers:

(a) All fixed launch and propellant-handling equipment, as well as erecting and handling equipment, and fuel tanks, associated with such a launcher shall be removed at least 1000 meters from the soft-site launcher to be eliminated. "Launch equipment" is understood to mean systems, components, and instruments required to launch missiles;

(b) The entire area, at least 20 meters in diameter and centered on the soft-site launcher, shall be excavated or exploded to a depth of no less than two meters; and

(c) To enhance safety, following completion of the procedures provided for in subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this paragraph, the resultant hole may be graded during the 180-day period provided for in paragraph 5 of this Section but not filled with earth until expiration of the 90-day period provided for in paragraph 6 of this Section.

5. The elimination process for a soft-site launcher shall be completed no later than 180 days after its initiation. If grading was performed during the elimination process, notification of the completion of such elimination process shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 4 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol.

6. Soft-site launchers shall remain visible to national technical means of verification during the entire elimination process and for the following 90-day period. After the 90-day period has elapsed, the hole may be filled with earth.

VI. Procedures for Conversion or Elimination of Heavy Bombers and Elimination of Former Heavy Bombers

1. Elimination of heavy bombers and former heavy bombers carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in this Section shall be carried out at conversion or elimination facilities for heavy bombers or former heavy bombers and shall be subject to verification by national technical means of verification and by inspection pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Section.

2. Each Party shall have the right to verify by inspection the initiation of the elimination process for heavy bombers equipped for long-range nuclear ALCMs. Each Party shall have the right to verify by inspection that the elimination of heavy bombers or former heavy bombers has been completed, except for those cases when the initiation of the elimination process for heavy bombers equipped for long-range nuclear ALCMs was verified by inspection. If an inspection is conducted, inspectors shall make the observations and measurements necessary to confirm the type and category of the heavy bomber or former heavy bomber that is to be eliminated or that has been eliminated, as applicable.

3. Prior to the initiation of the elimination process for a heavy bomber or former heavy bomber, engines and equipment that are not part of the airframe may be removed except for the equipment that is necessary to confirm the type and category of the heavy bomber or former heavy bomber to be eliminated.

4. A Party shall be considered to have initiated the elimination process for a heavy bomber or a former heavy bomber as soon as the tail section with tail surfaces has been severed from the fuselage at a location obviously not an assembly joint. After this procedure has been carried out, the heavy bomber or former heavy bomber shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in the Treaty. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

5. Elimination process for heavy bombers or former heavy bombers:

(a) The tail section with tail surfaces shall be severed from the fuselage at a location obviously not an assembly joint;

(b) The wings shall be separated from the fuselage at any location by any method; and

(c) The remainder of the fuselage shall be severed into two pieces, within the area of attachment of the wings to the fuselage, at a location obviously not an assembly joint.

6. A heavy bomber or former heavy bomber shall remain visible to national technical means of verification during the entire elimination process. The elimination process for a heavy bomber or former heavy bomber shall be completed no later than 60 days after initiation. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 4 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol.

7. Upon completion of the elimination process for a heavy bomber or former heavy bomber, the remains of its airframe shall remain visible to national technical means of verification at the elimination site for a 90-day period, after which they may be removed. In the case of an inspection conducted to confirm that the elimination of a heavy bomber or former heavy bomber has been completed, the remains of its airframe may be removed after the completion of such an inspection.

8. If an inspection is conducted, the inspection team leader and a member of the in-country escort shall confirm, in a factual written report containing the results of the inspection team's observation of a heavy bomber or former heavy bomber that is to be eliminated or that has been eliminated, as applicable, that the inspection team has completed its inspection. This report shall be completed in accordance with Section XVIII of the Inspection Protocol.

9. Conversion of heavy bombers, carried out in accordance with this Section, shall be carried out at conversion or elimination facilities for heavy bombers or former heavy bombers, as follows:

(ii) Conversion of such heavy bombers into heavy bombers equipped for non-nuclear armaments shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in paragraphs 10 and 11 of this Section, as applicable; or

(iii) Conversion of such heavy bombers into training heavy bombers or former heavy bombers shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in paragraphs 10, 11, and 12 of this Section, as applicable;

(b) Heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments other than long-range nuclear ALCMs:

(ii) Conversion of such heavy bombers into training heavy bombers or former heavy bombers shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in paragraphs 11 and 12 of this Section, as applicable;

(c) Conversion of heavy bombers equipped for non-nuclear armaments into training heavy bombers or former heavy bombers shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in paragraph 12 of this Section.

10. To convert a heavy bomber so that it is no longer equipped for long-range nuclear ALCMs, all weapons bays equipped to carry long-range nuclear ALCMs shall be modified so as to render them incapable of carrying long-range nuclear ALCMs. All external attachment joints for long-range nuclear ALCMs and all external attachment joints for pylons for long-range nuclear ALCMs shall be removed or modified so as to render them incapable of carrying long-range nuclear ALCMs.

11. To convert a heavy bomber so that it is no longer equipped for nuclear armaments, all weapons bays equipped to carry nuclear armaments shall be modified so as to render them incapable of carrying nuclear armaments. All external attachment joints for nuclear armaments and all external attachment joints for pylons for nuclear armaments shall be removed or modified so as to render them incapable of carrying nuclear armaments.

12. To convert a heavy bomber so that it is no longer equipped for non-nuclear air-to-surface armaments, all weapons bays equipped for non-nuclear air-to-surface armaments shall be modified so as to render them incapable of carrying any air-to-surface armaments. All external attachment joints for such armaments and all external attachment joints for pylons for such armaments shall be removed or modified so as to render them incapable of carrying any air-to-surface armaments.

13. Upon completion of the above requirements, the converted heavy bomber shall not be flown, but shall be moved directly to the viewing site at the conversion or elimination facility. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 4 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol. The converting Party may also provide an additional notification regarding the planned date of arrival of such a heavy bomber at the viewing site. The Party receiving such notification or notifications shall have the right, within the 20-day period beginning on the date the converted heavy bomber arrives at the viewing site, to inspect it to confirm that the procedures provided for in paragraphs 10, 11, and 12 of this Section, whichever are applicable, have been completed. Upon completion of such inspection, or, if an inspection was not conducted, upon expiration of the 20-day period, the inspected Party shall have the right to remove the converted heavy bomber or former heavy bomber from the viewing site.

14. If an inspection is conducted, the inspection team leader and a member of the in-country escort shall confirm, in a factual written report containing the results of the inspection team's observation of the converted heavy bomber or former heavy bomber, that the inspection team has completed its inspection. This report shall be completed in accordance with Section XVIII of the Inspection Protocol.

15. Upon completion of the inspection provided for in paragraph 13 of this Section or, if an inspection was not conducted, upon expiration of the 20-day period, the converted heavy bomber shall begin to be considered to be a heavy bomber of a different category or to be a former heavy bomber depending on the conversion procedures that have been carried out. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

VII. Procedures for Removal from Accountability of ICBMs for Mobile Launchers of ICBMs as a Result of Flight Tests or Static Testing

1. Removal of ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs from accountability as a result of flight tests shall be subject to verification by national technical means of verification.

2. Procedures for removal from accountability as a result of flight tests:

(a) Notification shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 1 of Section VI of the Notification Protocol; and

(b) The ICBMs shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in the Treaty after the flight tests. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

3. Procedures for removal of ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs or the first stages of ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs from accountability as a result of static testing:

(a) The Party that has accomplished static testing of an ICBM for mobile launchers of ICBMs or a first stage of an ICBM for mobile launchers of ICBMs shall provide notification thereof in accordance with paragraph 5 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol.

(b) If static testing is accomplished through dissection, that is, removal of propellant segments for testing, each time the Party removes such a segment it shall provide notification thereof in accordance with paragraph 5 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol.

(c) The remains of the ICBM for mobile launchers of ICBMs or the first stage of an ICBM for mobile launchers of ICBMs shall be eliminated in accordance with applicable procedures provided for in Section I of this Protocol.

VIII. Other Procedures for Removal from or Changes in Accountability

1. ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs, their launch canisters, silo launchers of ICBMs, silo training launchers, silo test launchers, mobile launchers of ICBMs, mobile training launchers, fixed structures for mobile launchers of ICBMs, SLBM launchers, soft-site launchers, heavy bombers, former heavy bombers, static display items, and heavy bombers and former heavy bombers converted for use as ground trainers shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in the Treaty after the completion of the procedures provided for in paragraph 2, 3, 6, or 8 of this Section, as applicable.

2. Accidental loss:

(a) If, in the judgment of the Party possessing an item subject to limitations provided for in the Treaty, that item is lost as a result of an accident, notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

(b) The item shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in the Treaty as of the date or assumed date of the accidental loss specified in such a notification.

3. Disablement beyond repair:

(a) If, in the judgment of the Party possessing an item accountable under the provisions of the Treaty, that item is disabled beyond repair, notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

(b) The disabled item shall be eliminated at the site of disablement, or at a conversion or elimination facility, in accordance with applicable procedures provided for in this Protocol, including inspection.

4. Procedures provided for in paragraph 5 of this Section shall be used to change the accountability, as a result of static display, of ICBMs, SLBMs, launch canisters, ICBM launchers, SLBM launchers, heavy bombers, and former heavy bombers.

5. Static display:

(a) Prior to being placed on static display, an item referred to in paragraph 4 of this Section shall be rendered inoperable and unusable so that it cannot be used for purposes inconsistent with the Treaty.

(b) Upon completion of the requirements in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, an item to be placed on static display, except for silo launchers of ICBMs, shall be transported to a location where it could be inspected. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 4 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol.

(c) A Party shall have the right, within the 30-day period beginning on the date of receipt of the notification provided in accordance with subparagraph (b) of this paragraph, to conduct an inspection of such an item.

(d) If an inspection is conducted, the inspection team leader and a member of the in-country escort shall confirm in a factual written report, containing the results of the inspection team's observation of the item specified for static display, that the inspection team has completed its inspection. This report shall be completed in accordance with Section XVIII of the Inspection Protocol.

(e) Upon completion of the inspection provided for in subparagraph (c) of this paragraph, or, if an inspection was not conducted, upon expiration of the 30-day period, and after the item to be placed on static display, except for silo launchers of ICBMs, has been transported to and installed at its static display location, it shall be considered to be on static display. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

6. If the Party possessing the item removes it from static display, that item shall be eliminated at the site of static display, or at a conversion or elimination facility, in accordance with applicable procedures provided for in this Protocol. Upon completion of such procedures, the eliminated item shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in subparagraph 7(a) of Article IV of the Treaty. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

7. Heavy bombers or former heavy bombers converted for use as ground trainers:

(a) Procedures for changing accountability of heavy bombers or former heavy bombers as a result of conversion for use as ground trainers:

(ii) Upon completion of the above requirements, the heavy bomber or former heavy bomber so converted shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in Article II and in subparagraphs 3(a) and 3(b) of Article IV of the Treaty. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

(b) Upon the completion of the conversion process, a heavy bomber or former heavy bomber converted for use as a ground trainer shall remain visible to national technical means of verification for a 90-day period.

8. A heavy bomber or former heavy bomber converted for use as a ground trainer that is no longer used for such purposes shall be eliminated in situ or at a conversion or elimination facility for heavy bombers or former heavy bombers, in accordance with applicable procedures provided for in Section VI of this Protocol. Upon the completion of the appropriate elimination procedures, the heavy bomber or former heavy bomber converted for use as a ground trainer shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in subparagraph 7(b) of Article IV of the Treaty. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

IX. Procedures for Elimination of Facilities

1. Pursuant to paragraph 9 of Article XI of the Treaty, each Party shall have the right to verify by inspection that the elimination of facilities provided for in paragraph 2 of Section XII of the Inspection Protocol has been completed. The completion of elimination of all other declared facilities shall be subject to verification by national technical means of verification.

2. Any declared facility shall be considered to be eliminated for the purposes of the Treaty as soon as all strategic offensive arms specified for such a facility, and all support equipment, have been removed and all silo launchers and fixed structures for mobile launchers of ICBMs are eliminated in accordance with the procedures provided for in this Protocol. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

This Protocol is an integral part of the Treaty and shall enter into force on the date of entry into force of the Treaty and shall remain in force so long as the Treaty remains in force. As provided for in subparagraph (b) of Article XV of the Treaty, the Parties may agree upon such additional measures as may be necessary to improve the viability and effectiveness of the Treaty. The Parties agree that, if it becomes necessary to make changes in this Protocol that do not affect substantive rights or obligations under the Treaty, they shall use the Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission to reach agreement on such changes, without resorting to the procedure for making amendments set forth in Article XVIII of the Treaty.

Done at Moscow on July 31, 1991, in two copies, each in the English and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic.

FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
George Bush
President of the United States of America

FOR THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS:
M. Gorbachev
President of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics