JCIC-XXXII: BELARUSIAN CLOSING PLENARY STATEMENT,

S E C R E T GENEVA 000604 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-OSA AND DIRECTOR NSC FOR LUTI DIA FOR LEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2018 TAGS: KACT PARM START JCIC INF US RS UP BO KZ SUBJECT: JCIC-XXXII: BELARUSIAN CLOSING PLENARY STATEMENT, JULY 24, 2008 Classified By: Jerry A. Taylor, United States Representative to the Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission. Reasons: 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is JCIC-XXXII-021. ¶2. (U) Paragraph 3 below contains the text of the official translation of the Belarusian statement that was delivered at the closing plenary meeting of the Thirty-second Session of the START Treaty's Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission (JCIC),held at the Russian Mission on July 24, 2008. ¶3. (S) Begin text: Official Translation Statement by the Delegation of the Republic of Belarus at the Closing Plenary Meeting of the Thirty-second Session of the Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission Geneva July 24, 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-XXXII with a feeling of satisfaction at the work done by the delegations in the very short time frame allotted for the current session. Aiming at success and the delegations' constructive approach allowed us to solve a number of important issues connected with implementation of the START Treaty, which will, undoubtedly, facilitate increasing its effectiveness and viability. Among our accomplishments it is appropriate to note the signing of yet another JCIC S-Series Joint Statement "On Changes to the Boundary of Drovyanaya ICBM Base for Silo Launchers of ICBMs." We take a positive view of the fact that an agreement was reached about the procedure proposed by the Ukrainian side for elimination of SS-24 ICBM solid rocket motor cases; it was recorded by the Agreement on Changes to Section I of the Conversion and (sic) Elimination Protocol Regarding the Elimination Process for ICBMs for Mobile Launchers (of ICBMs) and by the corresponding Joint Statement. During the current session we have, for the first time, directly touched on issues related to expiration of the START Treaty. In this connection we would like to note the following three points. First, the Belarusian side expresses its appreciation to the Russian side for having proposed these questions for the agenda of the current session in a timely way. This pertains to the issue of fulfillment by the sides of obligations deriving from Article XVII, paragraph 2 of the Treaty as well as the issue of closing points of entry for inspections and completion of continuous monitoring in Votkinsk. Second, we are gratified with the outcome of the discussions that took place on the agenda item "On Conducting a Meeting in Connection with the Parties' Obligation to Consider the Question of START Treaty Extension." In our view the open exchange of opinions on this issue has allowed us to map out a possible playing field for our actions connected with implementation of Article XVII, paragraph 2 of the Treaty. Third, we express willingness to continue during the intersessional period the examination of this issue through diplomatic channels in a constructive vein, so as to conclusively sort out a mechanism for fulfilling the above mentioned obligations. Esteemed Mr. Chairman, We express the hope that in the intersessional period a substantive dialogue will be continued with the goal of removing remaining concerns related to implementing the provisions of the Treaty. In conclusion, I would like to express our appreciation to all the delegations for their cooperation and separately to thank the interpreters and translators for their contribution to the work of the Commission. We wish you good trip home and fruitful work during the intersession. ¶4. (U) Taylor sends. TICHENOR NNNN End Cable Text