SFO-V GUIDANCE-003: U.S.-PROPOSED DRAFT START

S E C R E T STATE 099070 SIPDIS, GENEVA FOR JCIC E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2019 TAGS: KACT KTIA PARM START US RS SUBJECT: SFO-V GUIDANCE-003: U.S.-PROPOSED DRAFT START FOLLOW-ON ELIMINATION PROTOCOL (1 OF 2) Classified By: Jerry A. Taylor, Director, VCI/SI. Reasons: 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 5 below. ¶2. (S) BACKGROUND: On August 25, 2009, U.S. Embassy Moscow provided to the Russian Federation the text of the U.S.-proposed Draft START Follow-on Treaty Articles, which was discussed initially during the August 31-September 3 session in Geneva. This cable contains the U.S.-proposed draft of the START Follow-on Treaty Elimination Protocol. ¶3. (S) This is cable 1 of 2 cables. This cable contains Section I through Section VI of the U.S.-proposed Draft Elimination Protocol. Addressees should note that, due to the length of the draft, the text was sent using multiple cables. ¶4. (S) GUIDANCE: Delegation should provide a copy, including the courtesy Russian language translation, of the U.S.-proposed draft Elimination Protocol to the Russian Delegation and, as time permits, explain the U.S. positions on the Protocol. Delegation should encourage Russian questions and reaction to the U.S. text, and seek to identify areas of agreement and disagreement. ¶5. (U) ACTION REQUEST: Embassy Moscow is requested to combine the texts of the U.S.-proposed draft Elimination Protocol contained in the associated cables into one document and provide a courtesy copy of that text to appropriate host government officials. Embassy Moscow should explain that the U.S. Delegation in Geneva provided the Russian Delegation a paper and electronic copy of the text as well as a courtesy Russian-language translation of the text. Embassy Moscow is requested to confirm delivery of the text, the name and office of the official to whom it was delivered, the date of delivery, and any comment or reaction provided at that time. ¶6. (S/Releasable to the Russian Federation) Begin text: Protocol on Procedures Governing the Elimination of the Items Subject to the Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms Pursuant to and in implementation of the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, hereinafter referred to as the Treaty, the Parties hereby agree upon procedures governing the elimination of the strategic offensive arms limited by the Treaty, as well as fixed structures and facilities. ¶I. Procedures for Elimination of ICBMs for Mobile Launchers of ICBMs and Their Launch Canisters ¶1. Elimination of ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs and their launch canisters carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in this Section shall be carried out at elimination facilities for ICBMs and shall be subject to inspection. ¶2. Prior to the confirmatory inspection pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Section the inspected Party: (a) shall remove the missile's reentry vehicle or vehicles; (b) may remove the electronic and electromechanical devices of the missile's guidance and control system from the missile and its launch canister; (c) may remove the missile from its launch canister, remove the missile attachment devices from the launch canister, disassemble the missile into stages and the self-contained dispensing mechanism, and detach rocket motor nozzles and interstage skirts of the missile from stages; (d) may remove propellant from stages; (e) may remove or actuate auxiliary pyrotechnic devices installed on the missile and its launch canister; (f) may remove penetration aids, including devices for their attachment and release; and (g) may remove propulsion units from the self-contained dispensing mechanism. These actions may be carried out in any order. ¶3. Upon arrival of the inspection team: (a) Inspectors shall confirm the types, and number of each type, of the missiles and their launch canisters subject to elimination by making the observations and measurements necessary for such confirmation. If inspectors are unable to determine the type of the missile in its launch canister, representatives of the inspected Party shall take steps to resolve the problem, including removing the missile from its launch canister, if necessary; and (b) Inspectors and representatives of the inspected Party shall read the data from and inspect the unique identifier in accordance with Annex 6 to the Inspection Protocol. After the procedures provided for in this paragraph have been carried out, the inspected Party may remove any remaining elements not subject to elimination pursuant to paragraph 4 of this Section, and the process of the elimination of the missiles and their launch canisters may begin. Inspectors shall have the right to observe each of the elimination procedures provided for in paragraphs 4 and 5 of this Section. ¶4. Elimination process for ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs: (a) If solid fuel has not been removed from stages, the stages shall be destroyed by explosive demolition or burned; (b) Rocket motor nozzles and cases, as well as the interstage skirts of a missile remaining after completion of the procedures provided for in subparagraphs 2(c), 2(d) and 4(a) of this Section, or after the completion of static testing provided for in paragraph 3 of Section VI of this Protocol, shall be crushed, flattened, cut into two pieces of approximately equal size, or destroyed by explosion; and (c) The self-contained dispensing mechanism, as well as the front section, including the reentry vehicle platform and the front section shroud, shall be crushed, flattened, cut into two pieces of approximately equal size, or destroyed by explosion. ¶5. Elimination process for launch canisters of ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs: (a) The body of the launch canister shall be crushed, flattened, or destroyed by explosion; or (b) If the body of the launch canister is composed of segments, each of the segments shall be cut into two pieces at a location that is not an assembly joint. A launch canister, the body of which is of unitary construction, shall be cut into two pieces of approximately equal size, or cut into three pieces in such a manner that pieces no less than 1.5 meters long are cut from the ends of the body of such a launch canister. ¶6. Upon completion of the above procedures, or, if the inspection team leader so decides, upon completion of observations of the elimination procedures, the inspection team leader and a member of the in-country escort shall confirm, in a factual written report containing the results of the inspection team's observation of the elimination procedures, that the inspection team has completed its inspection. This report shall be completed in accordance with Section XVI of the Inspection Protocol. ¶7. ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in the Treaty after completion of the procedures provided for in this Section. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol. II. Procedures for Elimination of Silo Launchers of ICBMs ¶1. Elimination of silo launchers of ICBMs shall be carried out in situ and shall be subject to verification by national technical means of verification and by inspection. ¶2. Prior to the initiation of the elimination process for silo launchers of ICBMs, all missiles and shipping containers for ICBMs or ICBM stages, as well as all support equipment, shall be removed at least 1000 meters from each such launcher to be eliminated. ¶3. A Party shall be considered to have initiated the elimination process for silo launchers of ICBMs as soon as the silo doors have been opened, removed, or eliminated. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 2 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol. ¶4. A silo launcher of ICBMs in the process of being eliminated shall be considered to contain a deployed ICBM, and thus to be subject to the limit provided for in subparagraph (a) of Article II of the Treaty, until the procedures provided for in paragraph 5 of this Section have been carried out. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol. ¶5. The elimination process for silo launchers of ICBMs shall be carried out using any of the procedures provided for below: (a) The silo door shall be removed, dismantled, or destroyed and the silo headworks and the silo shall be destroyed by excavation to a depth of no less than eight meters, or by explosion to a depth of no less than six meters; (b) The silo door shall be removed, dismantled or destroyed and the silo shall be completely filled with gravel. The silo door shall not be reinstalled; or (c) Other procedures, developed by the possessing Party, that render the silo launcher incapable of being utilized for its original purpose in a manner that the other Party can confirm, shall be recorded within the framework of the BCC. ¶6. The elimination process for a silo launcher of ICBMs shall be completed no later than 180 days after its initiation. Silos shall remain visible to national technical means of verification during the entire elimination process and for the following 60-day period, or after an elimination inspection, whichever occurs first. ¶7. Prior to the elimination of the first launcher of each type of silo launcher of ICBMs using procedures provided for in subparagraph 5(c) of this Section, the possessing Party shall conduct a one-time demonstration to describe the elimination procedures that will be carried out and to allow the other Party to view the type of launcher to be eliminated. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 1 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol. The Party receiving such notification shall have the right, within the 20-day period beginning on the date of notification, to attend the demonstration. ¶8. Each Party shall have the right to inspect the eliminated silo launchers of ICBMs to confirm that the procedures conducted in accordance with paragraph 5 were completed. ¶9. If an inspection is conducted, the inspection team leader and a member of the in-country escort shall confirm, in a factual written report containing the results of the inspection team's observation of a silo launcher that has been eliminated, that the inspection team has completed its inspection. This report shall be completed in accordance with Section XV of the Inspection Protocol. ¶10. If the procedures for elimination provided for in subparagraph 5(a) were completed, the resultant hole may be graded during the 180-day period provided for in paragraph 6 of this Section but not filled with earth until expiration of the 60-day period or the completion of the elimination inspection, whichever occurs first. ¶11. Upon completion of the inspection provided for in paragraph 8, or if an inspection is not completed, upon expiration of the 60-day period, the silo launcher of ICBMs shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in the Treaty. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol. III. Procedures for Elimination of Mobile Launchers of ICBMs, Mobile Training Launchers and Fixed Structures for Mobile Launchers of ICBMs ¶1. Elimination of mobile launchers of ICBMs and mobile training launchers carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in this Section shall be carried out at elimination facilities for mobile launchers of ICBMs and shall be subject to inspection. ¶2. After arrival of the inspection team and prior to the initiation of the elimination process, inspectors shall confirm the types, and number of each type, of the items listed in paragraph 1 of this Section to be eliminated. After such confirmation, the elimination process may begin. Inspectors shall observe the elimination process. ¶3. Elimination process for mobile launchers of ICBMs and mobile training launchers: (a) The erector launcher mechanism and leveling supports shall be removed from the launcher chassis; (b) The framework of the erector launcher mechanism on which the ICBM is mounted and erected shall be cut at locations that are not assembly joints into two pieces of approximately equal size; (c) Missile launch support equipment, including external instrumentation compartments, shall be removed from the launcher chassis; (d) The mountings of the erector launcher mechanism and of the launcher leveling supports shall be cut off the launcher chassis and each such mounting shall be cut at a location that is not an assembly joint into two pieces of approximately equal size; and (e) A portion of the self-propelled launcher chassis, at least 0.78 meters in length, shall be cut off aft of the rear axle and that portion shall be cut into two pieces of approximately equal size; and no component, including those removed in accordance with the procedures provided for in this paragraph, shall be mounted, welded, or attached by any other means to an eliminated launcher chassis so as to increase the length of such a chassis. Upon completion of these elimination procedures for mobile launchers of ICBMs, the vehicle may be used only for purposes not inconsistent with the provisions of the Treaty. ¶4. Upon completion of the above requirements, the inspection team leader and a member of the in-country escort shall confirm, in a factual written report containing the results of the inspection team's observation of the elimination process, that the inspection team has completed its inspection. This report shall be completed in accordance with Section XVI of the Inspection Protocol. ¶5. Mobile launchers of ICBMs shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in the Treaty after completion of the procedures provided for in this Section. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol. ¶6. Elimination of fixed structures for mobile launchers of ICBMs shall be carried out in situ, and shall be subject to verification by national technical means of verification. ¶7. Elimination process for fixed structures for mobile launchers of ICBMs: (a) The superstructure of each fixed structure shall be dismantled or demolished, and removed from its base or foundation; and (b) The base or foundation of each such structure shall be destroyed by excavation or explosion. Upon completion of the above requirements, the elimination process for those structures shall be considered to be completed. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol. ¶8. The destroyed base or foundation of each such fixed structure shall remain visible to national technical means of verification for the 60-day period following the completion of the elimination process. ¶9. Upon expiration of the 60-day period provided for in paragraph 8 of this Section, the hole resulting from the excavation or explosion of each such structure may be filled and the remains of the destroyed base or foundation of each such structure may be removed from the restricted area. IV. Procedures for Elimination of SLBM Launchers ¶1. Elimination of one or more SLBM launchers carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in this Section shall be carried out at elimination facilities for SLBM launchers and shall be subject to verification by national technical means of verification and by inspection. ¶2. Prior to the initiation of the elimination process for SLBM launchers, all missiles shall be removed from the launcher(s) to be eliminated. ¶3. A Party shall be considered to have initiated the elimination process for SLBM launchers as soon as the ballistic missile submarine has been positioned at the elimination facility with the missile launch tubes to be eliminated empty and the launch tube hatches opened or removed. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 2 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol. ¶4. SLBM launchers in the process of being eliminated shall be considered to contain deployed SLBMs, and thus to be subject to the limit provided for in subparagraph (a) of Article II of the Treaty, until the procedures for elimination in paragraph 5 are complete. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol. ¶5. The elimination process for SLBM launchers shall be carried out using any of the procedures provided for below: (a) The missile section shall be removed from the submarine; (b) The missile launch tube(s),and all elements of their reinforcement, including hull liners and segments of circular structural members between the missile launch tubes, as well as the entire portion of the pressure hull, the entire portion of the outer hull, and the entire portion of the superstructure through which all the missile launch tubes pass and that contain all the missile launch-tube penetrations shall be removed from the submarine. Missile launch tube(s) that have been removed shall be cut into two pieces of approximately equal size and shall remain in the open in the vicinity of the submarine until completion of the elimination procedures, after which they may be removed from the elimination facility; (c) The launchers height or diameter shall be reduced in a manner such that the launcher can no longer contain the smallest SLBM deployed by the possessing Party; (d) Critical components required to launch an SLBM that can be confirmed by the inspecting party, shall be removed. Such critical components may include but are not limited to gas generator(s) and related launcher sub-systems; or (e) Other procedures, developed by the possessing Party, that render the SLBM launcher incapable of being utilized for its original purpose in a manner that the other Party can confirm, shall be recorded within the framework of the BCC. ¶6. The elimination process for SLBM launchers carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in paragraph 5 of this Section shall be completed no later than 270 days after initiation. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 4 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol. ¶7. Prior to the elimination of the first launcher of each type of SLBM launcher using procedures provided for in subparagraphs 5(c),5(d),and 5(e) of this Section, the possessing Party shall conduct a one-time demonstration to describe the elimination procedures that will be carried out and to allow the other Party to view the type of launcher to be eliminated. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 1 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol. The Party receiving such notification shall have the right, within the 20-day period beginning on the date of notification, to attend the demonstration. ¶8. Upon completion of the procedures provided for in subparagraphs 5(c),5(d) and 5(e) of this Section, notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 4 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol. The Party receiving such notification shall have the right, within the 20-day period beginning on the date of notification, to inspect eliminated SLBM launcher(s) to confirm that the procedures provided for in subparagraphs 5(c),5(d) and 5(e) and exhibited in accordance with paragraph 7 of this Section have been completed. ¶9. If an inspection is conducted, the inspection team leader and a member of the in-country escort shall confirm, in a factual written report containing the results of the inspection team's observation of the eliminated SLBM launcher(s),that the inspection team has completed its inspection. This report shall be completed in accordance with Section VI of the Inspection Protocol. ¶10. A ballistic missile submarine shall remain visible to national technical means of verification during the entire elimination process. If the inspection per paragraph 8 is not conducted, the eliminated SLBM launcher(s) shall continue to be visible to national technical means of verification until provision of the notification provided for in paragraph 4 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol and for no less than the 20-day period following the provision of such a notification. ¶11. Upon completion of the inspection provided for in paragraph 8 of this Section or, if an inspection was not conducted, upon expiration of the 20-day period, the eliminated SLBM launcher shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in this Treaty. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol. ¶12. Upon completion of the procedures for elimination of SLBM launchers, the SLBM launchers may be used for purposes not inconsistent with the provisions of the Treaty. ¶V. Procedures for Elimination of Heavy Bombers ¶1. Elimination of heavy bombers shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in this Section, at elimination facilities for heavy bombers, and shall be subject to verification by national technical means of verification and by inspection. ¶2. Prior to the initiation of the elimination process for a heavy bomber, engines and equipment that are not part of the airframe may be removed except for the equipment that is necessary to confirm the type of the heavy bomber to be eliminated. ¶3. A Party shall be considered to have initiated the elimination process for a heavy bomber when the heavy bomber has been located at the elimination facility and notification thereof has been provided in accordance with paragraph 2 of Section II of the Notification Protocol. ¶4. The elimination process for a heavy bomber shall be carried out using any of the procedures provided for below: (a) The tail section with tail surfaces shall be separated from the fuselage at a location that is obviously not an assembly joint using any method; (b) All weapons bays and all external attachment areas for pylons shall be modified as to render them incapable of employing nuclear armaments; (c) All internal and external launcher assemblies shall be modified so as to render them incapable of employing nuclear armaments; or (d) Other procedures, developed by the possessing Party, that render the heavy bomber incapable of being utilized for its original purpose in a manner that the other Party can confirm, shall be recorded within the framework of the BCC. ¶5. The elimination process for heavy bombers carried out in accordance with the procedures provided for in paragraph 4 of this Section shall be completed no later than 120 days after initiation. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 4 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol. ¶6. Prior to the elimination of the first heavy bomber of each type of heavy bomber using procedures provided for in subparagraphs 4(b),4(c),and 4(d) of this Section, the possessing Party shall conduct a one-time demonstration to describe the elimination procedures that will be carried out and to allow the other Party to view the type of heavy bomber to be eliminated. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 1 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol. The Party receiving such notification shall have the right, within the 20-day period beginning on the date of notification, to attend the demonstration. ¶7. Following the completion of the procedures provided for in subparagraph 4(a) of this section, the remains of the heavy bomber airframe shall remain visible to national technical means of verification at the elimination site for a 20-day period, after which they may be removed. In the case of an inspection conducted to confirm that the elimination of a heavy bomber has been completed, the remains of the airframe may be removed after completion of the inspection. ¶8. Following the completion of the procedures provided for in subparagraphs 4(b),4(c) and 4(d) of this Section, the eliminated heavy bomber shall not be flown, but shall be moved directly to the viewing site at the elimination facility. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 4 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol. The possessing Party may also provide an additional notification regarding the planned date of arrival of such a heavy bomber at the viewing site. The Party receiving such notification or notifications shall have the right, within the 20-day period beginning on the date the eliminated heavy bomber arrives at the viewing site, to inspect it to confirm that the procedures provided for in subparagraphs 4(b),4(c) and 4(d) and exhibited in accordance with paragraph 6 of this Section have been completed. Upon completion of such inspection, or, if an inspection was not conducted, upon expiration of the 20-day period, the inspected Party shall have the right to remove the eliminated heavy bomber from the viewing site. ¶9. If an inspection is conducted, the inspection team leader and a member of the in-country escort shall confirm, in a factual written report containing the results of the inspection team's observation of the eliminated heavy bomber, that the inspection team has completed its inspection. This report shall be completed in accordance with Section XV of the Inspection Protocol. ¶10. Upon completion of the inspection provided for in either paragraph 7 or 8 of this Section or, if an inspection was not conducted, upon expiration of the 20-day period, the eliminated heavy bomber shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in this Treaty. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol. ¶11. Upon completion of the procedures for elimination of heavy bombers, the bomber may be used as follows: (a) If the procedures provided for in subparagraph 4(a) were completed, the bomber may be used for spare parts; (b) If procedures provided for in subparagraphs 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d) were completed, the bomber may be used for purposes not inconsistent with the provisions of the Treaty. VI. Procedures for Removal from Accountability of ICBMs for Mobile Launchers of ICBMs as a Result of Flight Tests or Static Testing ¶1. Removal of ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs from accountability as a result of flight tests shall be subject to verification by national technical means of verification. ¶2. Procedures for removal from accountability as a result of flight tests: (a) Notification shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 1 of Section VI of the Notification Protocol; and (b) The ICBMs shall cease to be subject to the limitations provided for in the Treaty after the flight tests. Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification Protocol. ¶3. Procedures for removal of ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs from accountability as a result of static testing: (a) The Party that has accomplished static testing of an ICBM for mobile launchers of ICBMs shall provide notification thereof in accordance with paragraph 5 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol. (b) If static testing is accomplished through dissection, that is, removal of propellant segments for testing, each time the Party removes such a segment it shall provide notification thereof in accordance with paragraph 5 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol. (c) The remains of the ICBM for mobile launchers of ICBMs shall be eliminated in accordance with applicable procedures provided for in Section I of this Protocol. End text. CLINTON