JCIC-XXXIII: RUSSIAN PRESS STATEMENT ON START

UNCLAS GENEVA 001025 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: N/A TAGS: KACT PARM START JCIC INF US RS UP BO KZ SUBJECT: JCIC-XXXIII: RUSSIAN PRESS STATEMENT ON START ARTICLE XVII DISCUSSIONS, NOVEMBER 21, 2008 ¶1. This is JCIC-XXXIII-031. ¶2. The text at Paragraph 3 below is the official translation of a coordinated press statement on discussions that took place in the Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission as required by Article XVII of the Treaty on whether to extend the START Treaty. The U.S. JCIC Representative issued the U.S. press statement (Geneva 1001). The official translation of the statement at Paragraph 3 is a coordinated statement among the Representatives of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Ukraine and is identical with the U.S. press statement. ¶3. Begin text: Official Translation November 21, 2008 Statement by the Representative of the Russian Federation to the Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission for the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms On November 17, 2008, Representatives of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United States of America met in Geneva, Switzerland, to consider whether the Treaty Between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START) will be extended, as provided for in paragraph 2 of Article XVII of the Treaty. Therefore, the requirement of the Treaty to meet on this issue before December 5, 2008, is fulfilled. In this connection, the Parties desire to emphasize that there is no Treaty requirement to make a decision to extend the Treaty at this meeting. The Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United States of America will continue to discuss the issue, noting that a decision on this issue can be made up until expiration of the Treaty on December 5, 2009. End text. ¶4. Taylor sends. TICHENOR NNNN End Cable Text