15 February 2001 U.S. Tells OSCE of Missile Launch Notification Agreement U.S. Ambassador David Johnson described for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) Permanent Council a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on missile launch notifications signed by the United States and Russia last December that will promote mutual confidence and strengthen international security. The agreement provides for a new and more comprehensive system of pre- and post-launch notifications for both ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles, said Johnson, the U.S. permanent representative to the OSCE, speaking in Vienna February 15. It also provides for notifications when forcing satellites out of orbit and when conducting experiments in space that could adversely affect the operation of early warning radars. Once it is implemented bilaterally, the system will be open to participation by other interested states, he said. Following is a transcript of Johnson's statement: United States Mission to the OSCE Statement on Missile Launch Notifications Agreement Delivered by Ambassador David T. Johnson To the Permanent Council Vienna February 15, 2001 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to make a statement on behalf of the United States of America and the Russian Federation. I am pleased to inform the Permanent Council, on behalf of myself and Ambassador Belous, that on December 16 our Foreign Ministers signed in Brussels a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on Notifications of Missile Launches. This agreement will strengthen strategic stability by establishing a new and more comprehensive system of pre- and post-launch notifications for both ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles. It also provides for notifications when forcing satellites out of orbit and when conducting experiments in space that could adversely affect the operation of early warning radars. This new agreement builds upon the June 2000 agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States to establish in Moscow a joint warning center for the exchange of early warning information on missile launches. Together, these two initiatives will strengthen strategic stability by substantially reducing the risk of experiencing false ballistic missile attack warnings and by promoting mutual confidence. The Russian Federation and the United States welcome the opportunity to work together through this agreement. Our bilateral cooperation demonstrates our shared commitment to strengthening international security. Once it is implemented bilaterally, we intend to open the missile launch notification system to participation by other interested states. Today, we have circulated the full text of this agreement in both English and Russian. Thank you. (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov) Return to the Washington File