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Disarmament DiplomacyIssue No. 61, October - November 2001Documents & SourcesBush-Putin SummitSummit meeting between US President George W. Bush and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir V. Putin, Washington and Crawford, Texas, November 13-15, 2001.
Crawford Press Conference'Remarks by President Bush and President Putin to Russian exchange students and students of Crawford High School,' The White House, Texas, November 15. " Question: 'I'm a senior [student] here. In what ways has this summit helped bring Russia and the US closer together?' President Bush: '... There's no doubt, the United States and Russia won't agree on every issue. But you probably don't agree with your mother on every issue. ... Well, even though we don't agree on every issue, I still respect him and like him as a person. The other thing is, is that the more we talk about key issues, the more likely it is we come to an understanding. ... I, after long consultations with people inside our government, I announced that our government was going to reduce our nuclear arsenal to between 1,700 and 2,200 warheads over the next decade. That's a tangible accomplishment. I shared that information with President Putin. He, too, is going to make a declaration at some point in time. In other words, this particular summit has made us closer because we've agreed on some concrete steps, as well, specific things we can do together. We're working on counter-proliferation, which is an incredibly important issue, to make sure that arms and potential weapons of mass destruction do not end up in the hands of people who will be totally irresponsible, people that hate either one of our nations.' ... Question: 'You say that we've reached an agreement to declare to reduce our nuclear weapons. In reducing our nuclear weapons, are we talking about de-alerting them and taking them off of alert status? Or are we actually talking about taking apart the warheads and destroying the weapon?' President Bush: 'We are talking about reducing and destroying the number of warheads to get down to specific levels, from significant higher levels today to significantly lower levels tomorrow. And, as well, most of our weapons are de-alerted. They're not on alert. However, it doesn't take them long to fire up, if we need them. Our mission is to make sure we never need them on each other. We need to get beyond the notion that in order to keep the peace, we've got to destroy each other. That's an old way of thinking. Now we're working together to figure out ways to address the new threats of the 21st century.' President Putin: '... There, indeed, exists a number of scenarios of behaviour in this situation. And the question was quite professionally put, mind you. You can just dismantle the warheads and rest them by the weapons, and to preserve the so-called strike-back capability, in order to be able to retaliate. But one may, on the other hand, destroy the arsenal. What you would do with those arsenals is subject to negotiations, with the result of those negotiations depending on the level of trust between the United States and Russia. Yesterday, we tasted steak and listened to music, and all of this with a single purpose and objective, to increase the level of confidence between the leaders and the people. And if we are to follow this road further, we will certainly arrive at a solution, decision acceptable both to Russia, to the United States and, indeed, to the entire world.' ... Question: '...I was wondering if you've come to a conclusion about whether or not to deploy a national missile defense system?' President Bush: 'Are you with the national press corps or [a student]? [Laughter.] ... This is an area that we've had a lot of discussions about. As you might remember, in the presidential campaign I said, in very plain terms, that I felt the ABM Treaty signed in 1972 is outdated; that the treaty was signed during a period of time when we really hated each other and we no longer hate each other; that I view the treaty as something we need to move beyond. And I made this very clear to the President. He understands our position, that it is in our nation's interest, and I think, in his nation's interest and other peaceful nations' interest to be able to explore the ability - to determine whether or not we can be able to deploy defensive systems to prevent people who might have weapons of mass destruction from hurting us, or holding us hostage, or being able to blackmail free nations. He'll be glad to give you his position. We have a difference of opinion. But the great thing about our relationship is our relationship is strong enough to endure this difference of opinion. And that's the positive development. ...' President Putin: '... The objective is to achieve security for our states, for our nations, and for the entire world. We share the concerns of the President of the United States to the fact that we must think of the future threats. And here is a common ground for our further discussions. What we differ in is that we differ in the ways and means we perceive that are suitable for reaching the same objective. And given the nature of the relationship between the United States and Russia, one can rest assured that whatever final solution is found, it will not threaten or put to threat the interests of both our countries and of the world. And we shall continue our discussions.'" White House Press Conference'Press Conference by President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin,' The White House, Washington, November 13. Statement by President Bush "The United States and Russia are in the midst of a transformation of a relationship that will yield peace and progress. We're transforming our relationship from one of hostility and suspicion to one based on cooperation and trust, that will enhance opportunities for peace and progress for our citizens and for people all around the world. The challenge of terrorism makes our close cooperation on all issues even more urgent. Russia and America share the same threat and the same resolve. We will fight and defeat terrorist networks wherever they exist. Our highest priority is to keep terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. Today, we agreed that Russian and American experts will work together to share information and expertise to counter the threat from bioterrorism. We agreed that it is urgent that we improve the physical protection and accounting of nuclear materials and prevent illicit nuclear trafficking. And we will strengthen our efforts to cut off every possible source of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, materials and expertise. ... [A]s Russia and the United States work more closely to meet new 21st century threats, we're also working hard to put the threats of the 20th century behind us once and for all. And we can report great progress. The current levels of our nuclear forces do not reflect today's strategic realities. I have informed President Putin that the United States will reduce our operationally deployed strategic nuclear warheads to a level between 1,700 and 2,200 over the next decade, a level fully consistent with American security. Russia and the United States have also had vast discussions about our defensive capabilities, the ability to defend ourselves as we head into the 21st century. We have different points of view about the ABM Treaty, and we will continue dialogue and discussions about the ABM Treaty, so that we may be able to develop a new strategic framework that enables both of us to meet the true threats of the 21st century as partners and friends, not as adversaries. ..." Statement by President Putin "I would like to inform you that the Washington part of our negotiations is being completed and our discussions proved very constructive, interesting and useful and will continue at Crawford. But the preliminary results we evaluate as extremely positive. This is our fourth meeting with President Bush in the last few months. I believe this is a vivid demonstration of the dynamic nature of the Russian-American relations. We have come to understand each other better and our positions are becoming closer on the key issues of bilateral and international relations. We are prepared now to seek solutions in all areas of our joint activities. We intend to dismantle conclusively the vestiges of the Cold War and to develop [an] entirely new partnership for long term. ... We discussed in detail our dialogue related to strategic offensive and defensive weapons. Here, we managed to achieve certain progress. First of all, it has to do with the prospects of reaching a reliable and verifiable agreement on further reductions of the US and Russian weapons. Here I must say, we appreciate very much the decision by the President to reduce strategic offensive weapons to the limits indicated by him. And we, for our part, will try to respond in kind. On the issues of missile defense, the position of Russia remains unchanged. And we agreed to continue a dialogue and consultations on this. I believe that it's too early now to draw the line under the discussions of these issues..." Questions and Answers " Question: 'Specific numbers were mentioned here with regard to the reductions of offensive weapons. When, and if at all, one could expect that such specific numbers made public be substantiated by some papers, maybe during a possible visit by President Bush to Moscow? ...' President Putin: '...[H]e has an open invitation to visit the Russian Federation, with an official working or a private visit, in any format, at any time convenient for him. ... But as for the business part, I think that before that time our advisors will continue working. And we, for our part, for the Russian part, are prepared to present all our agreements in a treaty form, including the issues of verification and control.' President Bush: 'I think it's interesting to note that a new relationship based upon trust and cooperation is one that doesn't need endless hours of arms control discussions. I can remember watching the news, years ago, and seeing that people would sit at tables for hours and hours and hours trying to reach reduced levels of nuclear armament. My attitude is, here's what we can live with. And so I've announced a level that we're going to - that we'll stick by. To me, that's how you approach a relationship that is changed, and different. And we'd be glad to - and I looked the man in the eye and shook his hand, and if we need to write it down on a piece of paper, I'll be glad to do that. But that's what our government is going to do over the next 10 years. And we don't need an arms control agreement or an arms control - let me say this - we don't need arms control negotiations to reduce our weaponry in a significant way. And today you've now heard for the first time the level that I think is commensurate with the spirit of reducing our own weaponry, and at the same time, keeping the peace.' Question: 'You mentioned vast discussions on the ABM Treaty. What progress are you making? And are you convinced you won't have to withdraw from the treaty now?' President Bush: 'Well, I'm convinced that the treaty is outdated and we need to move beyond it. And we're having discussions along those lines. We had good discussions today; we had good discussions in Shanghai; we had good discussions in Slovenia; and we'll have good discussions in Crawford. This is obviously a subject that's got a lot of ramifications to it. I clearly heard what the President has had to say and his view of the ABM Treaty; he's heard what I've had to say. And we'll continue working it. But my position is, is that it is a piece of paper that's codified a relationship that no longer exists - codified a hateful relationship. And now we've got a friendly relationship. And I think we need to have a new strategic framework that reflects the new relationship, based upon trust and cooperation. But we'll continue to work it.' ... Question: 'Mr. Bush, what is your evaluation of the situation in Pakistan, which was always in the sphere of influence of the United States, and whether there are any dangers that the forces up in opposition to General Musharraf would gain control of the nuclear weapons? ...' President Bush: 'I had a very good dinner with President Musharraf last Saturday night in New York City. It was the first time I had met him. ... All of us came away with our respect for President Musharraf and our desire to make sure that his administration is successful in Pakistan. The best way to make sure that terrorists do not end up with nuclear weaponry in that part of the world is for President Musharraf to provide a stable government and to fulfill what he said he would do, which is to have elections in a short period of time. And I believe he...deserves our nation's support, and so we are putting together an economic package that will help him with debt, help him with the expenses of the ongoing operations, helping with trade. And we will continue a dialogue with the Pakistan leader, with the full intent of finding ways we can cooperate, in order to bring stability to that part of the world.'" Joint Statement on New Relationship'Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Vladimir V. Putin on a New Relationship Between the United States and Russia,' The White House, Washington, November 14. "...We affirm our determination to meet the threats to peace in the 21st century. Among these threats are terrorism, the new horror of which was vividly demonstrated by the evil crimes of September 11, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, militant nationalism, ethnic and religious intolerance, and regional instability. These threats endanger the security of both countries and the world at large. Dealing with these challenges calls for the creation of a new strategic framework to ensure the mutual security of the United States and Russia, and the world community. We have agreed that the current levels of our nuclear forces do not reflect the strategic realities of today. Therefore, we have confirmed our respective commitments to implement substantial reductions in strategic offensive weapons. On strategic defenses and the ABM Treaty, we have agreed, in light of the changing global security environment, to continue consultations within the broad framework of the new strategic relationship. On non-proliferation matters, we reaffirm our mutual commitment to the Biological and Chemical Weapons Conventions, and endorse efforts to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Both sides agree that urgent attention must continue to be given to improving the physical protection and accounting of nuclear materials of all possessor states, and preventing illicit nuclear trafficking. ..." Joint Statement on Bioterrorism'Joint statement by President George W. Bush and President Vladimir V. Putin on Cooperation Against Bioterrorism,' The White House, Washington, November 13. "At [the APEC Summit in] Shanghai [in September], we resolved to enhance cooperation in combating new terrorist threats, including those involving weapons of mass destruction. We agree that, as a key element of our cooperation to counter the threat of terrorist use of biological materials, officials and experts of the United States and Russia will work together on means for countering the threat of bioterrorism, now faced by all nations, and on related health measures, including preventive ones, treatment and possible consequence management. We will continue to work to enhance the security of materials, facilities, expertise, and technologies that can be exploited by bioterrorists. We also confirm our strong commitment to the 1972 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction. We have directed all of our officials and experts working on these critical matters to expand their cooperation and to consult on strengthening related international efforts." Fact Sheet on New Strategic Framework'Fact Sheet: New Strategic Framework with Russia,' The White House, November 14. "In a major address on May 1, President Bush called for a new strategic framework to transform our relationship with Russia from one based on a nuclear balance of terror to one based on common responsibilities and common interests. Since that time, the United States and Russia have engaged in an intensive dialogue toward this end. Our nations are pursuing deeper and broader cooperation on a range of political, economic, and security issues, including the fight against terrorism. Nuclear weapons should no longer be at the center of US-Russian relations in a day and age when neither country is the enemy of the other. We believe that the current levels of our nuclear forces do not reflect the strategic realities of today. Therefore, the United States and Russia have confirmed their respective commitments to implement substantial reductions in strategic offensive weapons. President Bush has announced that, for the United States, this will result in a level of 1,700 to 2,200 operationally deployed strategic warheads. President Putin has stated that Russia will try to respond in kind. Russia and the United States have different views of the ABM Treaty and strategic defenses. This issue is only one element of our broader relationship. Our differences on this issue will not delay progress in other areas. And we remain committed to continued consultations on a new strategic framework that enables us to meet the new threats of the 21st century together, as true partners and friends, not adversaries. Finally, the United States and Russia reaffirm their mutual commitment to strengthen efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We agree that urgent attention must continue to be given to improving the physical protection and accounting of nuclear materials of all possessor states, and preventing illicit nuclear trafficking. We also will explore the potential for cooperative efforts in consequence management, drawing on our respective capabilities to respond to biological incidents." Fact Sheet on US-Russia Non-Proliferation Programmes'Fact Sheet: US Government Non-Proliferation and Threat Reduction Assistance to the Russian Federation,' The White House, November 13. "The United States is committed to strong, effective cooperation with Russia and the other states emerging from the former Soviet Union to reduce weapons of mass destruction and prevent the proliferation of these weapons or the material and expertise to develop them. The importance of that cooperation has long been recognized, and is underscored by the tragic events of September 11. The US Government currently conducts over 30 different cooperative programs with Russia in this area, with a total appropriation from Fiscal Year 1992 through Fiscal Year 2001 of approximately $4 billion. Another important cooperative endeavour in this area is US purchase of material blended down from Russian highly-enriched uranium from dismantled nuclear warheads, for use in civilian nuclear reactor fuel. Principal elements of the multifaceted US non-proliferation and threat reduction assistance to Russia include:
The Administration is nearing completion of a detailed review of these programs, designed to ensure that existing efforts serve priority threat reduction and non-proliferation goals, as efficiently and effectively as possible, and to examine new initiatives to further those goals." Speech by President Putin'Speech by President Putin before the representatives of the American public and US political figures, Russian Embassy in Washington, November 13, 2001,' Russian Embassy transcript, http://www.russianembassy.org. "After the Second World War the relations between our countries have had their ups and downs. But eventually the main achievement has been that our countries have stopped being afraid of each other. It has enabled us together to get rid of what for decades has stricken fear into the peoples the world over, the arsenals of nuclear and other mass destruction weapons. Their quantitative level today is totally at odds with the current situation in the world and with the character of modern threats. I had no doubt that we would meet with understanding on the part of the United States on this issue and the statement by President Bush today confirms that fact. That is why Russia declares that it is ready to make deep cuts of strategic armaments. That is why we are proposing today a radical program of further strategic offensive arms cuts, at least by three times, to a minimum level required to maintain the strategic balance in the world. We no longer need to scare each other in order to come to terms. Security arises not from weapons and mountains of hardware, it is created by the political will of states and the leaders of these states. Yes, the world has still a long way to go before international relations are built solely on trust. This is regrettable. But this is why it is so important today to rely on the existing foundation of treaties and agreements in the sphere of disarmament and arms control." Russian Foreign Ministry Statement on ABM and Nuclear Reductions'Concerning Russian-American Discussions of ABM Problem,' Russian Foreign Ministry Statement, Document 2001-11-15, November 15. "Taking into account the nature of relations between the USA and Russia, it can safely be said that existing differences will not jeopardize the interests of the two countries and the world as a whole, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed before departure from Texas. One aim faces Russia and the USA, and it is to achieve security for our countries and the world. Russia and the USA differ as to the way and means to achieve the common aim, the President said, meaning questions related to the ABM Treaty. The discussion on them will continue. The leaders have reached a basic agreement on reducing strategic offensive arms. According to Putin, there are several reduction options: one may screw off warheads and put them close by and have so called return material, and they could be destroyed. The reduction process will depend on the level of trust between the USA and Russia, the President noted, designating the aim of his visit to the USA as increasing the trust between the countries. If Russia and the USA follow this path, a mutually acceptable solution to the ABM problem will also be found. We have differences in views, but our differences will not disunite us as states, President George Bush said in his turn." Briefing by US National Security Advisor'Press briefing by National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleezza Rice on visit of President Putin,' The White House, Crawford, Texas, November 15. " Question: 'Can you tell us anything about the time line, moving forward on plans for the ballistic missile system? And was that time line adjusted in any way as a consequence of these three days of meetings?' Dr. Rice: 'Well, these meetings continued the discussions that they've had about how to move forward in a new strategic framework, how to deal with the issue of defenses in the context of a new strategic framework. I remind you, the President has always said there are three elements to this. They talked quite a bit about the offensive force reductions, about the non-proliferation efforts, and they did talk some about defenses. They're going to continue those discussions, but I think the time line has not really changed. The President continues to believe that he has got to move forward with the testing program in a robust way, so that we can really begin to evaluate the potential for missile defenses. I think that President Putin, himself, said this morning, and he's said several times during this visit, that he understands the President's argument about the threat, although he may still continue to believe that the ABM Treaty has a certain importance to the post-Cold War era, as it did in the pre-Cold War era. ... I think the main progress that's being made is that they continue, both at their level and then at the expert level, to share more and more information about how US plans are developing for missile defenses. I want to remind everybody this is a robust research, development and testing program, evaluation program. So there was another briefing for the Russians when we were in New York, prior to the meeting in Washington, about the progress of those plans, about some of the time lines that are driving those plans. And they continue to talk about that. But there was, I think, a real understanding that whatever...we do to address our concerns about missile defense, this is in the context now of a substantially changed relationship from where we were several months ago. And that's just an extremely important point to keep in mind. This is a smaller element of the US-Russia relationship than it was several months ago, and certainly than it was before September 11.' Question: 'Speaking of time lines, did the President give any indication that the six-month time line [to withdraw from the ABM Treaty] could be triggered if Mr. Putin doesn't get on board and jointly withdraw? Did that come up in any hint or any way, shape or form?' Dr. Rice: 'They simply talked as they have talked before about the President's desire to get on with his testing and evaluation program. I think that everybody...understands that we're soon going to run up against certain constraints of the treaty. And we're continuing to work with them, continuing to work through those. But that was the context in which it came up.' Question: 'So it wasn't like the end of the year we're going to start the timer?' Dr. Rice: 'They're continuing to just work through the issues. I think I said when I was with a group of you before, this is a set of issues that they're working progressively over a period of time. And no particular kaboom breakthrough is to be expected at any particular time, but they are continuing to work the issue. And we'll see how long we can go before we have to actually begin the testing and development program.' ... Question: '...[S]o, from the United States' perspective, Russia will not stand in the way of [missile defence] testing...' Dr. Rice: '... [T]hat is not what I said. I said we understand each other considerably better on this, but the President has made clear that, one way or another - and we're still in the one way or another phase - one way or another, the United States is going to have to get out of the constraints of the ABM Treaty so that we can begin to explore in a robust way, rather than in a constrained way, what our options are...' Question: '... [D]id you discuss...the testing program in any more detail than in previous briefings? And then, also, was there any kind of ultimatum offered at all by President Bush about a need to get out of the ABM Treaty by any certain time?' Dr. Rice: '... The testing program has been outlined to the Russians in some detail. That was done again. We are continuing to give them updates and more detail about what is being planned. But I just want to caution, it's intended to be a robust program, but not every test that we are going to do is even known to us at this point, and we've made that clear also to the Russians.' Question: 'At the press conference with the students, President Bush said today that we would dismantle and destroy our warheads. When they went to Putin, he said, we will dismantle them, but he didn't seem to say they'll destroy them. What is your understanding what Russia will do with those warheads?' Dr. Rice: 'I think the understanding of what both will do here is that this is a draw-down over a long period of time. It takes a long time to bring nuclear arsenals down, over 10 years or so. [With regard to t]he disposition of warheads, I believe that what the President was referring to is we will not have these warheads near the places at which they could be deployed. In other words, they will truly not be deployable warheads. In that sense, their capability will not be accessible to the United States. Now, how you then dispose of them, how you deal with the materials, how you deal with reliability issues in the existing stockpiles, so do you want to keep ones that are not on station someplace else - those are all details to be worked out. Remember, this is a review that just...concluded in the United States, and so we've got a little work to do on some of the issues about disposition of warheads.' Question: 'On that point, the President actually said "destroy the warheads" when he was asked about that. We are talking about reducing and destroying the number of warheads, is that right?' Dr. Rice: 'We are in the process right now of examining precisely how this draw-down takes place. You probably know that even the warheads that we have already agreed to take off-station...all the way back to the START I treaties are not yet non-operational. So this is a long process that has to take place.' Question: 'But is he right that we would be destroying these weapons?' Question: 'President Putin said during the news conference that he really wanted to have a treaty that would encompass in the end all of these agreements. He seemed to be referring to something that would link the offensive cuts with whatever you do on ABM. Did he bring proposed treaty language? And in the past you have been very hesitant to get involved in a treaty. Tell us whether or not your thinking, where the President's thinking has changed on this.' Dr. Rice: 'Well, he did not bring treaty language. What the final form of the new strategic framework looks like, I think we're open as to form. We do not believe that it needs to look like the thousands and thousands of pages that attended all the SALT and START treaties. So it clearly doesn't have to look like that. We are more than willing to talk with the Russians about various levels of codification of such an arrangement. We have not said 'treaty.' They have said they are interested in a treaty. But this is an open discussion, I think, at this point... Nobody has ruled out...' Question: 'Did they pursue that at all?' Dr. Rice: 'No, we did not pursue that at this time. But nobody has ruled out codification. We have said, both of us, that we are prepared to make this verifiable in some form - perhaps even using some of the verification procedures out of former treaties. But nothing is off the table in the regard of what this actually looks like in the final analysis.' ... Question: 'Did he [President Bush] accurately state policy, though, when he said, they will be destroyed?' Dr. Rice: 'We are working - clearly, a number of them will be destroyed. A number of them will be destroyed.'" © 2001 The Acronym Institute. |