JCIC-XXXIV: (U) BELARUSIAN CLOSING PLENARY

S E C R E T GENEVA 000469 SIPDIS 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 LOOK DIA FOR LEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2019 TAGS: KACT PARM START JCIC INF US RS UP BO KZ SUBJECT: JCIC-XXXIV: (U) BELARUSIAN CLOSING PLENARY STATEMENT, JUNE 11, 2009 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-XXXIV-017. ¶2. (U) At paragraph 3 below is the official translation of the text of the Belarusian Statement that was delivered at the Closing Plenary Meeting of the Thirty-fourth Session of the START Treaty's Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission (JCIC),held at the U.S. Mission on June 11, 2009. ¶3. (S) Begin text: Official Translation Statement by the Delegation of the Republic of Belarus at the Closing Plenary Meeting of the Thirty-fourth Session of the Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission Geneva June 11, 2009 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 wrapping up JCIC-XXXIV and, in this connection, we would note the productive work done by the Parties at this session, which made it possible to outline ways of resolving concerns on a number of Treaty implementation issues. We urge all the partners to redouble their efforts so as to attempt to resolve the outstanding problems before the 15-year term of the Treaty on strategic offensive arms expires. At the same time, we believe that the architecture of security and predictability which has been created during this period must not be consigned to history after December ¶2009. Various options for resolving the current situation have been discussed both during our meetings and in other formats. We are convinced that it is in our power to take steps that will demonstrate, in a complex international situation, the Parties' intentions to jointly continue their efforts in the area of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. It is very important that no one have any doubts as to the reversibility (sic) of these processes, which are based on the principles of strategic arms reduction, transparency, and verification, as well as security guarantees to states that have voluntarily waived their right to possess such arms. Unfortunately, no one today has the ability to look far into the future to point out to us the only correct path. But we still have time to weigh all aspects and sort things out. We also believe that in the time remaining it is of pressing importance to work on adopting a document that would reflect the Parties' contribution to Treaty implementation and would reaffirm the existing obligations in connection with the START Treaty, as well as the commitment to further reduction of strategic offensive arms and other aspects that our Treaty partners consider it appropriate to include. Following up on this initiative, we express our readiness to prepare a draft of this document and send it to our partners through diplomatic channels for consideration. We are confident that adoption of such a document will serve our common interests and will provide an example to the international community of successful cooperation in the field of strategic offensive arms. We would note that during the intersessional period the Belarusian side is prepared to work on the whole spectrum of issues raised by the Parties so that at the next meeting we can engage in a substantive discussion and reach mutually acceptable solutions. Esteemed Mr. Chairman, In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation to all the Delegations for their cooperation and specifically to thank the interpreters and translators for their contribution to the work of the Commission. We wish everyone a safe return home and productive work in the intersessional period. End text. ¶4. (U) Taylor sends. STORELLA