JCIC-XXXIV: (U) UKRAINIAN CLOSING PLENARY

1. (U) This is JCIC-XXXIV-020.



2. (U) Paragraph 3 below contains the official translation
of the text of the Ukrainian 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

JCIC-XXXIV
Plenary Meeting
June 11, 2009

STATEMENT
by the Head of Delegation of Ukraine
to the Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission
at the Closing Plenary Meeting of JCIC-XXXIV

Esteemed Mr. Chairman,

Esteemed Representatives, Heads and Members of the
Delegations of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of
Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, and the United States of
America,

Summing up the results of the work at JCIC-XXXIV, the
Delegation of Ukraine is pleased to note the Parties'
constructive approach to discussion of the items on the
agenda of this session. We should attribute this to the
wealth of experience gained by the Parties during the 15
years of JCIC work, which contributed to the productive
exchange of views at this session as well.

We particularly emphasize flexibility and pragmatism in
discussing the problematic issues on the agenda.

The Ukrainian side welcomes the agreement reached on
conducting a one-time demonstration of the Minuteman III
front section, outside the existing quotas for reentry
vehicle inspections. We reaffirm our interest in
participating in this event.

In our view, the results of the discussion of
redeclaration of Peacekeeper ICBM silo launchers are among
the positive results of this session; that made it possible
to acknowledge that the notification provided earlier was
erroneous. This once again attests to the effectiveness of
the Treaty's existing verification regime.

We appreciate the fact that consensus was reached on the
procedure for final elimination of 109 SS-25 ICBMs by the
Russian side.

At the same time, the Ukrainian side notes that despite
certain progress, the consideration of a number of
fundamental issues was not completed.

These include the following:


- reaching agreement on procedures for converting the
B-1 heavy bomber to a delivery vehicle for non-nuclear
armaments;

- preparing the Agreement on Principles and Procedures
for Completion of Continuous Monitoring Activities at the
Monitored Facility at Votkinsk, which is of practical
importance for implementation of the Treaty;

- reaching an understanding regarding the legitimacy of
the activities at Courtland.

The Delegation of Ukraine particularly directs the
attention of the Parties to the importance of these issues
for successful implementation of the Treaty and to the need
to reach final agreements this year.

The Delegation of Ukraine thanks its partners for their
understanding of the Ukrainian side's concern over the future
format for cooperation within the system for ensuring
strategic stability. The foundations of this system will
possibly be governed by the new agreement on strategic
offensive arms that is being intensively negotiated by the
Russian and U.S. sides.

We would note, in particular, that the question we
raised concerning Ukraine's participation in the negotiating
process and in the future legally binding agreement is
prompted not by an ambition to remain on the cutting edge of
international policy in the area of strategic stability, but
by a desire to ensure maximum effectiveness of the new and --
we hope -- multilateral Treaty.

The Ukrainian side reserves the right to continue
bilateral contacts with the States Parties to the START
Treaty, with a view to seeking a mutually acceptable format
for Ukraine's participation in the new agreement, which would
serve our country's national interests.

We express the hope that, recognizing the pressing
importance and scope of the decisions to be made as we
approach the end of the legally prescribed term of the START
Treaty, the Parties will respond favorably to our proposal to
hold an extraordinary working session of the JCIC before
December of this year.

The Ukrainian Delegation is pleased to congratulate the
members of the Russian Delegation on the upcoming national
holiday -- Russia Day -- and to express its appreciation to
the interpreters and translators of the Russian and U.S.
Delegations for their assistance.

We wish all the participants in this session health,
happiness, and a good trip home.

Thank you for your attention.

End text.



4. (U) Taylor sends.
STORELLA