START I

START I
source
Name	START I
Signed	July 31, 1991
Location	Moscow, Soviet Union
Effective	December 5, 1994
Condition	Ratification by United States and Soviet Union
Expiration	December 5, 2009
Signatories	United States, Soviet Union, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus
Depositary	United States, Russia

START I was a landmark arms control treaty signed by United States President George H.W. Bush and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev on July 31, 1991, in Moscow, Soviet Union. The treaty was the result of years of negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union, facilitated by Reagan-Gorbachev summits and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. The treaty aimed to reduce the number of nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) possessed by both countries, with the goal of enhancing global security and reducing the risk of nuclear war. This effort was supported by key figures such as Henry Kissinger, Andrei Gromyko, and Eduard Shevardnadze.

Introduction

The START I treaty was a significant development in the field of arms control, building on the foundations laid by the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. The treaty's negotiations involved key players such as Paul Nitze, Max Kampelman, and Yuli Vorontsov, who worked tirelessly to overcome the challenges posed by the Cold War and the Soviet-Afghan War. The treaty's signing was witnessed by prominent leaders, including Boris Yeltsin, Nikolai Ryzhkov, and Dick Cheney, and was seen as a major breakthrough in the United States-Soviet relations. The treaty's provisions were also influenced by the work of organizations such as the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

History

The history of the START I treaty is closely tied to the Cold War and the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The treaty's negotiations began in the early 1980s, during the Reagan administration, with the goal of reducing the number of nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) possessed by both countries. Key events, such as the Reykjavik Summit and the Washington Summit, played a crucial role in shaping the treaty's provisions. The treaty was also influenced by the work of prominent figures, including Andrei Sakharov, Eugene Rabinowitch, and Hans Bethe, who advocated for nuclear disarmament and arms control. The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 led to the emergence of new independent states, including Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, which became signatories to the treaty.

Treaty Provisions

The START I treaty imposed significant reductions on the nuclear arsenals of the United States and the Soviet Union. The treaty limited the number of strategic nuclear delivery vehicles (SNDVs) to 1,600, and the number of nuclear warheads to 6,000. The treaty also established a verification regime, which included on-site inspections and monitoring systems, to ensure compliance with the treaty's provisions. The treaty's provisions were influenced by the work of organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Key players, including James Baker, Dennis Ross, and Strobe Talbott, played a crucial role in shaping the treaty's provisions.

Implementation and Verification

The implementation and verification of the START I treaty were critical to its success. The treaty established a Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission (JCIC) to oversee the implementation of the treaty's provisions and to resolve any compliance issues that may arise. The treaty also established a verification regime, which included on-site inspections and monitoring systems, to ensure compliance with the treaty's provisions. The United States and Russia worked closely together to implement the treaty's provisions, with the support of organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Key figures, including Robert Gates, William Perry, and Andrei Kozyrev, played a crucial role in ensuring the treaty's successful implementation.

Impact and Legacy

The START I treaty had a significant impact on global security and the nuclear arms race. The treaty's reductions in nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) helped to reduce the risk of nuclear war and enhanced global stability. The treaty also established a verification regime that served as a model for future arms control agreements, including the START II and New START treaties. The treaty's legacy can be seen in the work of organizations such as the Nuclear Threat Initiative and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, which continue to advocate for nuclear disarmament and arms control. Key players, including Barack Obama, Dmitry Medvedev, and Angela Merkel, have built on the foundations laid by the START I treaty to advance global security and nuclear non-proliferation. Category:Arms control treaties