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

S E C R E T STATE 099072

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 (2 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 2 of 2 cables. This cable contains
Section VII through Section VIII 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:

VII. Other Procedures for Removal from Accountability


1. ICBMs for mobile launchers of ICBMs, their launch
canisters, silo launchers of ICBMs, mobile launchers of
ICBMs, mobile training launchers, fixed structures for
mobile launchers of ICBMs, SLBM launchers, and heavy
bombers shall cease to be subject to the limitations
provided for in the Treaty after the completion of the
procedures provided for in paragraph 2, 3, 6, or 8 of
this
Section, as applicable.


2. Accidental loss:
(a) If, in the judgment of the Party possessing an item
subject to limitations provided for in the Treaty, that
item is lost as a result of an accident; notification
thereof shall be provided in accordance with paragraph 3
of Section I of the Notification Protocol.

(b) The item shall cease to be subject to the limitations
provided for in the Treaty as of the date or assumed date
of the accidental loss specified in such a notification.


3. Disablement beyond repair:

(a) If, in the judgment of the Party possessing an item
accountable under the provisions of the Treaty, that item
is disabled beyond repair, notification thereof shall be
provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I of
the Notification Protocol.

(b) The disabled item shall be eliminated at the site of
disablement, or at an elimination facility, in accordance
with applicable procedures provided for in this Protocol,
including inspection.


4. Procedures provided for in paragraph 5 of this Section
shall be used to eliminate, as a result of static
display,
ICBMs, SLBMs, launch canisters, ICBM launchers, SLBM
launchers, and heavy bombers.


5. Static display:

(a) Prior to being placed on static display, an item
referred to in paragraph 4 of this Section shall be
rendered inoperable and unusable so that it cannot be
used
for purposes inconsistent with the Treaty.

(b) Upon completion of the requirements in subparagraph
(a) of this paragraph, an item to be placed on static
display, except for silo launchers of ICBMs, shall be
transported to a location where it could be inspected.
Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance with
paragraph 4 of Section IV of the Notification Protocol.

(c) A Party shall have the right, within the 30-day
period
beginning on the date of receipt of the notification
provided in accordance with subparagraph (b) of this
paragraph, to conduct an inspection of such an item.

(d) 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 item specified for
static display, that the inspection team has completed
its
inspection. This report shall be completed in accordance
with Section XV of the Inspection Protocol.

(e) Upon completion of the inspection provided for in
subparagraph (c) of this paragraph, or, if an inspection
was not conducted, upon expiration of the 30-day period,
and after the item to be placed on static display, except
for silo launchers of ICBMs, has been transported to and
installed at its static display location, it shall be
considered to be on static display and 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.


6. Ground trainers:

(a) Procedures for eliminating heavy bombers to be used
as
ground trainers:

(i) At least one third of each wing or the entire
vertical
stabilizer of the heavy bomber shall be removed; and

(ii) Notification thereof shall be provided in accordance
with paragraph 3 of Section I of the Notification
Protocol.

(b) Upon the completion of the elimination process, the
ground trainer shall remain visible to national technical
means of verification for a 60-day period.

VIII. Procedures for Elimination of Facilities


1. The completion of elimination of declared facilities
shall be subject to verification by national technical
means of verification.


2. Any declared facility shall be considered to be
eliminated for the purposes of the Treaty as soon as all
strategic offensive arms specified for such a facility,
and all support equipment (support equipment includes,
but
is not limited to, ICBM emplacement equipment, training
models of missiles, transporter-loaders of mobile ICBMs,
storage cranes, launch-associated support vehicles, and
driver training vehicles),have been removed and all silo
launchers and fixed structures for mobile launchers of
ICBMs are eliminated in accordance with the procedures
provided for in this Protocol. Notification thereof shall
be provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of Section I
of
the Notification Protocol.

This Protocol is an integral part of the Treaty and shall
enter into force on the date of entry into force of the
Treaty and shall remain in force so long as the Treaty
remains in force. As provided for in subparagraph (b) of
Article XIII of the Treaty, the Parties may agree upon
such additional measures as may be necessary to improve
the viability and effectiveness of the Treaty. The
Parties agree that, if it becomes necessary to make
changes in this Protocol that do not affect substantive
rights or obligations under the Treaty, they shall use
the
Bilateral Consultative Commission to reach agreement on
such changes, without resorting to the procedure for
making amendments set forth in Article XVI of the Treaty.

Done at XXXXX on XXXXX, in two originals, each in the
English and Russian languages, both texts being equally
authentic.

FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

FOR THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION:

End text.
CLINTON