November 30, 2001

STATEMENT BY ALEXANDER YAKOVENKO, THE OFFICIAL SPOKESMAN OF RUSSIA'S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Regarding Adoption by UN General Assembly of a Resolution in Support of Preservation of and Compliance with ABM Treaty


On November 29 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on the preservation of and compliance with the ABM Treaty. The resolution was supported by 84 countries with 61 abstaining and four against.

The results of the voting evidence the increased support in the world for this Treaty and a striving to prevent its destruction. In the deep conviction of Russia, it has proven its viability as the cornerstone of the whole system of disarmament, arms control and nonproliferation agreements that has taken shape over the decades.

The ABM Treaty of 1972 makes it possible to carry out further strategic offensive arms reductions, to ensure stability and predictability on a global scale, and to lay new foundations of security meeting the interests of the international community.

Russia will continue to advocate consistently the preservation of and compliance with this unique Treaty.