JCIC-XXXIII: (U) BELARUSIAN CLOSING STATEMENT,

S E C R E T GENEVA 001014 DEPT FOR T, VCI AND EUR/PRA DOE FOR NNSA/NA-24 CIA FOR WINPAC JCS FOR J5/DDGSA SECDEF FOR OSD(P)/STRATCAP NAVY FOR CNO-N5JA AND DIRSSP AIRFORCE FOR HQ USAF/ASX AND ASXP DTRA FOR OP-OS OP-OSA AND DIRECTOR NSC FOR HAYES DIA FOR LEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2018 TAGS: KACT PARM START JCIC INF US RS UP BO KZ SUBJECT: JCIC-XXXIII: (U) BELARUSIAN CLOSING STATEMENT, NOVEMBER 21, 2008 Classified By: Jerry A. Taylor, United States Representative to the Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission. Reasons: 1.5(b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is JCIC-XXXIII-026. ¶2. (U) At Paragraph 3 below is the official translation of the Belarusian Statement that was deliverd at the Closing Plenary Meeting of the Thirty-third Session of the START Treaty's Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission (JCIC), held at the U.S. Mission on November 21, 2008. ¶3. (S) Begin text: Official Translation Statement by the Delegation of the Republic of Belarus at the Closing Plenary Meeting of the 33rd Session of the Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission Geneva November 21, 2008 Esteemed Mr. Chairman, Esteemed Representatives and members of the delegations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, the United States of America, and Ukraine. Today we are concluding JCIC-XXXIII and would like to note in this regard the productive work and active participation of all the Parties during this session, which promoted progress in a number of areas. In particular, we can note certain progress toward removing concern over the Minuteman III reentry vehicle. The legal framework of an agreement was outlined, which, in the event the Treaty expires, would provide a procedure for terminating continuous monitoring at Votkinsk, as well as a procedure for removing the relevant U.S. property. This issue affects Belarusian interests due to the planned transit of this property across Belarusian territory. Overall, we are satisfied with the work done at the expert level and are prepared to continue developing a legal basis during the intersessional period. During this session information was presented by the Ukrainian side and preliminarily discussed regarding its intention to move types of ICBMs that have been completely eliminated to date into the category of former types of ICBMs. During the intersessional period the Belarusian side will determine its position on this issue. We express the hope that in the intersessional period a substantive dialogue will continue, with the aim of removing the remaining concerns related to implementing Treaty provisions. Mr. Chairman, During this session we also considered one other important question--the future of the START Treaty. Not only did the Parties fulfill the requirement of paragraph 2 of Article XVII of the Treaty, but they also voiced their concerns on this issue. We are convinced that it is important not to allow a legal vacuum to be created in strategic offensive arms control after December 2009. Our view is that in the coming year we must decide what path we will take: either we decide to extend the Treaty or we work out a new accord on strategic offensive arms. We think that in considering the question of working out a new Treaty it is important to take into account the main elements on which the START Treaty is based: reduction of strategic offensive arms; a system of control and verification; and security guarantees to non-nuclear states that acceded to the START Treaty through the Lisbon Protocol. Esteemed Mr. Chairman, In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation to all the Delegations for their cooperation and to thank individually the interpreters and translators for their contribution to the work of the Commission. We wish all a safe return home and productive work in the intersessional period. End text. ¶4. (U) Taylor sends. TICHENOR NNNN End Cable Text