U.S. PRESS STATEMENT JCIC-XXXIII, NOVEMBER 21, 2008
Statement by the United States Representative to the Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission for the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)
In accordance with Paragraph 2 of Article XVII of the Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START), on November 17, 2008, representatives of the United States, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine met in Geneva, Switzerland, to consider whether to extend the 1991 Treaty.
Therefore, the requirement of the Treaty to meet on the issue prior to December 5, 2008, is fulfilled. However, the Parties desire to point out that there was no Treaty requirement to make a decision to extend the Treaty at this meeting.
The United States, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine will continue to consider the issue and note that a decision on this issue can be made up until the date of expiration of the Treaty on December 5, 2009.
UNCLASSIFIED ANNEX TO THE U.S. CLOSING PLENARY STATEMENT, NOVEMBER 21, 2008
JCIC Unilateral Plenary Statement on Status of Heavy Bombers at the Conversion or Elimination Facility at Davis Monthan Air Force Base
The United States would like to inform the other Parties that there are a number of heavy bombers undergoing aging and surveillance activities at the Davis-Monthan Conversion or Elimination Facility. As a result of these activities, these heavy bombers are in various stages of disassembly. These heavy bombers remain accountable under the Treaty and are subject to inspection, as provided for in the Tenth Agreed Statement. The United States assures the other Parties that if a decision is made to eliminate these heavy bombers in the future their elimination shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Section VI of the Conversion or Elimination Protocol, including all required notifications.