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PRIMAKOV LETTER ON EARLY DEACTIVATION
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Dear Madame Secretary:
On behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation, in connection with the Treaty Between
the Russian Federation and the United States of America on Further Reduction and Limitation of
Strategic Offensive Arms of January 3, 1993, hereinafter referred to as the Treaty, I have the
honor to propose that agreement be concluded between our Governments on deactivation of
certain strategic nuclear delivery vehicles.
Under this agreement our Governments would agree that upon entry into force of the Treaty, the
Russian Federation and the United States of America shall deactivate, by December 31, 2003, all
strategic nuclear delivery vehicles which will be eliminated under the Treaty, by removing their
nuclear reentry vehicles or taking other jointly agreed steps.
Immediately upon entry into force of the Treaty, experts of the Parties will begin work
simultaneously both on the understandings concerning methods of deactivation as well as
parameters of an appropriate program of assistance of the United States of America in the
implementation of the deactivation mentioned above. Practical steps to implement deactivation
will be undertaken on the basis of these understandings.
Taking into account the supreme national interests of the country, the Russian Federation
proceeds from the understanding that well in advance of the above deactivation deadline the
START III Treaty will be achieved and enter into force.
This letter together with your response shall constitute agreement between the Governments of
the Russian Federation and the United States of America, which shall enter into force on the date
of entry into force of the Treaty and shall remain in force as long as the Treaty remains in force.
Please accept, Madame Secretary, the assurances of my highest consideration.
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