Belarus positively perceives the decision of the Presidents of Russia and the United States to reduce strategic offensive arms - MFA

14:09:49 7/7 RKO, RO, NET, SAVI / 60 July 7, Minsk / BELTA correspondent /. Belarus positively perceives the decision of the Presidents of Russia and the United States of America concerning further reductions and limitations of strategic offensive arms (SOAs) of their countries and the conclusion in the future of a new legally binding agreement to replace the current Treaty on Strategic Offensive Arms (SORT). This was stated by the press secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, Andrei Popov, in response to a BELTA question in connection with the signing of a number of documents on SOAs by the Presidents of Russia and the USA during the Russian-American summit in Moscow on July 6. "The existing SORT has undoubtedly played a decisive role in strengthening strategic security and stability. At the same time, I would like to emphasize that, in our conviction, the successful implementation of this Treaty was possible only thanks to the collective efforts of all participating states," Andrei Popov said. He noted that as a participant in the SORT, the Republic of Belarus has made a significant, principled contribution to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation by renouncing the nuclear weapons it possessed. According to the press secretary of the Belarusian foreign ministry, Belarus "would welcome the prompt practical implementation of the Russian-American declaration signed in Moscow on July 6, so that no one has any doubts about the irreversibility of nuclear disarmament processes." "At the same time, we are convinced that the further success of the new Treaty will largely depend on the readiness to work together with states that have shared with Russia and the USA the burden of responsibility for the situation in the field of strategic stability, and to guarantee the security of these states," Andrei Popov added. As previously reported, the Presidents of Russia and the USA, Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama, signed a framework document on strategic offensive arms (SOAs) following high-level negotiations. This political document, which does not have legally binding status, sets out guidelines for further work on the text of the agreement that will replace the SORT. Russia and the USA intend to reduce the number of nuclear warheads by almost half - to 1,500-1,675 units, and their carriers - to 500-1,100 units, according to the document titled "Joint Understanding on the Issue of Further Reductions and Limitations of Strategic Offensive Arms." "Each party shall reduce and limit its strategic offensive arms in such a way that 7 years after the entry into force of the treaty and thereafter, the maximum levels for strategic carriers shall be within 500-1,100 units and for associated warheads within 1,500-1,675 units," the document states. The SORT-1 Treaty, signed in 1991, obliges Washington and Moscow to reduce the number of nuclear warheads to 6,000 and their carriers to 1,600 on each side. The term of SORT-1 expires on December 5, 2009. The additional treaty on reducing SOAs, signed in Moscow in 2002, limited the number of operationally deployed nuclear warheads for each party to 1,700-2,200 units. They are to reach these levels by December 2012. In addition, US and Russian experts will work together to analyze ballistic missile challenges of the 21st century. The document agreed upon in Moscow states that a new legally binding SORT Treaty should be concluded in the near future. -0-