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5 Supplement Department of State Dispatch 26 (1994)
Fact Sheet: Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission

handle is hein.journals/dsptch13 and id is 159 raw text is: Russia Fact Sheet: Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission At their summit meeting in Vancouver, Canada, April 3-4, 1993, President Clinton and Russian President Yeltsin pledged to jettison the vestiges of the Cold War and forge a new partnership between the United States and Russia. They particularly aimed to develop a program to advance a new joint agenda in energy, space, and science and technology to the benefit of both countries. To initiate this new coopera- tive venture, the two Presidents agreed at Vancouver that both coun- tries would focus high-level attention on it. This was the genesis of the commission headed by Vice President Albert Gore and Russian Prime Minister Victor Chernomyrdin. First Gore-Chernomyrdin Commis- sion Meeting, September 1993 On September 1-2, 1993, in Washing- ton, DC, Vice President Gore and Prime Minister Chernomyrdin initiated the new cooperative venture. Its broad agenda included economic and foreign policy issues, as well as the evolution of a commercial partnership for the future. During this round of successful meetings, they accomplished a great deal in the fields of space and energy. Agreements signed represent the leading edge of U.S.-Russian coopera- tion-aimed at achieving broad market access for Russian high-technology goods and efficient and low-cost cooperation on long-term, complex projects. They also agreed to establish additional subcommittees to focus specifically on environmental, scientific, energy policy, and defense diversifica- tion issues. Space Cooperation. The two sides signed three joint statements: one on space cooperation, outlining a phased approach for cooperation on human space flight and development of a unified space station; a second on cooperative environmental monitoring from space, involving a joint study to determine the feasibility of such programs; and a third on aeronautical sciences. These agreements set a broad strategy for cooperation on global environmental change and in the design of future aircraft. They also signed a commercial launch agreement, giving Russia access to the interna- tional launch services market, and a memorandum of understanding on the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), committing Russia to the MTCR guidelines on the sale of high- technology goods and services. Energy and Investment Coopera- tion. The agreements signed in this area represent the joint intention of the parties to strengthen economic coop- eration and to increase trade and investment significantly, especially in energy-related projects. The U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corpora- tion (OPIC) announced two major projects for Russia to establish the first U.S.-Russian Investment Fund to support privatization and to assist in oil well restoration in western Siberia. The two sides agreed that each government would name an ombuds- man to work together to overcome obstacles to specific trade and invest- ment projects. They also signed a memorandum to facilitate cooperation in fossil energy development and a memorandum of understanding that will lead to an expansion of exports to Russia currently financed by Eximbank. Finally, they agreed to launch a joint study on nuclear reactor safety issues to determine the most potentially productive joint work in the area of nuclear safety. Second Gore-Chernomyrdin Meeting, December 1993 Following up on the successful Septem- ber meeting, the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission met again on Decem- ber 15-16, 1993, in Moscow. At this meeting, many of the programs and joint projects set in motion the previ- ous September began to take on concrete shape. Major accomplish- ments were achieved in five broad areas. Space Cooperation. One of the highlights of the meeting was a joint statement issued on space station cooperation. The statement, signed by Vice President Gore and Prime Minister Chernomyrdin, covers activities involving the U.S. space shuttle and the Russian Mir space station, Russian participation in the International Space Station, and contractual arrangements to facilitate these programs. The two sides signed a protocol calling for additional manned flights to the Russian Mir space station and extended time for U.S. astronauts there. They also signed a joint state- ment on aeronautics and space cooperation, noting potential coopera- tion in the areas of earth sciences and environmental monitoring and space science. The joint statement was accompanied by a memorandum of understanding describing eight areas of cooperation in fundamental aeronau- tical sciences. Trade and Business Develop- ment. In this area, the Vice President and Prime Minister Chernomyrdin exchanged instruments of ratification for a double taxation treaty, effective January 1, 1994. OPIC agreements totaling $135 million were signed, providing the financial muscle to stimulate significant U.S. private investment in the Russian economy. The two sides released a joint commu- nique on conformity of product standards to facilitate trade in both directions. They also signed an interim memorandum for establishing Ameri- can business centers in Russia and issued a joint statement on the future tasks of the Business Development Committee aimed at identifying opportunities, resolving problems, and expanding contracts leading to new trade and investment projects. Finally, they announced a joint energy project to create a model Russian retail gasoline corporation, to determine the commercial and legal conditions needed to establish a privately owned and financed corporation. 26 U.S. Department of State Dispatch Supplement - July 1994 - Vol. 5. No. 6

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