ACCESSION NUMBER:355651
FILE ID:EUR309
DATE:08/03/94
TITLE:U.S.-UKRAINE MISSILE AGREEMENT (08/03/94)
TEXT:*94080304.PFE
*EUR309 08/03/94
U.S.-UKRAINE MISSILE AGREEMENT
(Text: Fact sheet) (710)
(The State Department released the following fact sheet at the briefing on
non-proliferation efforts with respect to Ukraine. The briefing was held
August 3 by Lynn E. Davis, under secretary for arms control and
international security affairs.)
On May 13, 1994, the United States and Ukraine signed a Memorandum of
Understanding on the Transfer of Missile Equipment and Technology. The MOU
was signed by Vice President Gore and Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister Shmarov
in a White House ceremony. This agreement commits Ukraine to adhere to the
Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) by controlling exports of
missile-related equipment and technology according to the MTCR Guidelines.
Ukraine's decision to adhere to the MTCR Guidelines is a major step forward
in U.S. efforts to curb missile proliferation worldwide. The U.S.-Ukraine
MOU is substantially similar to the Memorandum of Understanding the United
States signed with Russia in September 1993.
There are several features of the MOU which will enhance our mutual
non-proliferation goals. The MOU enumerates the various elements of an
MTCR export control commitment, including the obligation to require
validated licenses or other prior written approval for any transfers of
MTCR Annex equipment or technology; to subject any export request for
Category I Annex items to a strong presumption of denial; to not permit the
transfer of Category I production facilities, except as permitted by the
MTCR; to weigh certain factors in deciding whether to approve a request to
transfer a Category I item; and to obtain binding government-to-government
assurances if a decision is made to grant such a request. The MOU also
provides a consultative mechanism whereby the Parties may exchange
information relating to the implementation of the MOU. These features will
provide the basis for future missile non-proliferation cooperation with
Ukraine.
As part of its missile non-proliferation policy, the United States is
dedicated to strengthening the MTCR. We want to make it harder, cost more,
and take longer for proliferators to develop missile systems that are less
capable and less reliable than otherwise would be the case. To do this, we
1eed to discourage proliferation activities among potential significant
suppliers of missile equipment and technology. Converting them to MTCR
adherents that fully implement MTCR Guidelines and eventually bringing them
into the Regime will strengthen the MTCR.
The United States applauds Ukraine's adherence to the MTCR Guidelines.
Effective implementation of Ukraine's commitment to adhere to the MTCR will
greatly enhance the MTCR's ability to curb missile proliferation. Ukraine
has stated its intention to become a full Partner in the MTCR and the
United States has committed to cooperate with Ukraine to facilitate its
membership Into the MTCR at an early date. The U.S.-Ukraine MOU does not
confer on Ukraine any membership status with regard to the MTCR itself.
Membership in the MTCR is granted by a consensus decision of all
twenty-five MTCR Partners. Among the factors that the MTCR Partners
consider in evaluating a membership application is whether an applicant can
demonstrate a sustained commitment to non-proliferation, as well as a track
record of effective implementation of export controls on MTCR items.
Implementation of the recently-signed U.S.-Ukraine agreement on missile
non-proliferation will be a critical, first step toward Ukraine's
membership in the MTCR.
Although Ukraine is a significant potential supplier of missile equipment
and technology, it has not been a missile proliferation problem. The
United States wants to ensure that this remains the case especially with
regard to transfers of space launch equipment and technology. The MOU does
not directly address U.S. space cooperation with Ukraine. Independent of
the MOU, it is U.S. policy not to support the development or acquisition of
space launch vehicles in countries outside the MTCR. The United States has
made this position clear to Ukraine. However, the United States is willing
to work actively with Ukraine to expand cooperation in a number of other
space fields which do not include Category I booster systems or space
launch programs. The United States believes that faithful Ukrainian
implementation of the MOU on missile non-proliferation will help to ensure
that Ukraine's technological potential does not pose a proliferation
problem in the future.
NNNN
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