#security assurances

On July 1, 1968, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, and dozens of other countries entered into the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The NPT categorizes countries as either "nuclear-weapon States" or "non-nuclear-weapon States." The five "nuclear-weapon States" are the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China, all of which had successfully exploded a nuclear device before 1967. (The Russian Federation formally agreed in 1992 to exercise the rights and fulfill the obligations of the former U.S.S.R. under the NPT.)

Under the NPT, non-nuclear-weapon States agree never to acquire nuclear weapons, and the nuclear-weapon States in exchange agree to share the benefits of peaceful nuclear technology and to pursue nuclear disarmament aimed at the ultimate elimination of their nuclear arsenals. To this day, the NPT remains the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of nuclear disarmament. As of today, 191 (out of 193) States have agreed to the NPT; more countries have ratified it than any other arms limitation and disarmament agreement in the world.

Not all countries agreed to be subject to the NPT's limitations immediately, however. Ukraine, for example, did not join the NPT as a non-nuclear-weapon State until 1994, when the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Russian Federation gave Ukraine ample security assurances, formalized in the "Memorandum on security assurances in connection with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons." In exchange for Ukraine promising to eliminate all nuclear weapons from its territory and remain a non-nuclear-weapon State, the other countries--including Russia--explicitly promised (among other things):

"to respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine";

"to refrain from the threat of force or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine"; and

"that none of their weapons will ever be used against Ukraine except in self-defense..."

Russia is still a party to the 1994 Memorandum. Too bad it refuses to recognize the jurisdiction of any international court, or it might have been in trouble for blatantly violating it when it invaded the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

Or, y'know, right now.

It’s commonly known as the Budapest Memorandum but is formally called the Memorandum on security assurances in connection with Ukraine’s accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

It has to do with Ukraine giving up nuclear weapons stored on its soil (left over from the USSR) in return for security assurances. Because it is an annex to a treaty, the Budapest Memorandum itself is regarded as a treaty by the United Nations.

The UN has the memorandum under “treaties” in its archives. Anybody can read it in its four languages of publication: English, Russian, Ukrainian, and French.

Ukraine, Russian Federation, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America Memorandum on security assurances in connection with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Budapest, 5 December 1994

The memorandum was signed by President Boris Yeltsin (Russia), President Bill Clinton (USA), President Leonid Kuchma (Ukraine), and Prime Minister John Major (UK).  

Here is the very first point of the six points in the memorandum.

Sounds pretty clear to most people – at least outside of the Kremlin and Tucker Carlson.

Again, this was in exchange for Ukraine giving up nuclear weapons. Here is part of the preface to the six points in the memorandum.

So does Russia’s invasion of Ukraine automatically represent an abrogation of the memorandum? If the treaty is no longer binding, does this mean Ukraine can now own nuclear weapons?

New Post has been published on https://is.gd/PrwsA9

SINGAPORE| The Latest: Pompeo offers North Korea security assurances

SINGAPORE— Latest on a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump in Singapore (all times local):

6:00 p.m.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the United States is prepared to take actions to provide North Korea with “sufficient certainty” that denuclearization “is not something that ends badly for them.”

Pompeo is briefing reporters in Singapore ahead of President Donald Trump’s summit Tuesday with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He says the U.S. is prepared to show North Korea that rather than denuclearization posing a threat to North Korea, it’s “the opposite.”

Pompeo won’t say whether Trump would consider withdrawing U.S. troops from the Korean Peninsula.

Pompeo says that U.S. sanctions on the North will remain in place until the North denuclearizes. But he says if diplomacy fails to move in the right direction, the sanctions “will increase.”

___

5:50 p.m.

President Donald Trump called the leaders of South Korea and Japan Monday ahead of his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

That’s according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is briefing reporters in Singapore. He says Trump spoke by phone with the two U.S. allies as preparatory talks continue between American and North Korean officials ahead of the leader sit-down Tuesday morning.

Pompeo says there is “enormous potential” for the summit, but lowered expectations that the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula will happen after one meeting. He says: “We are hopeful the summit will have set the conditions for future productive talks.”

Pompeo also says Tuesday’s meeting presents a test of Kim’s willingness to agree to deal his nuclear weapons away for “protections” from the United States.

___

3:05 p.m.

The lobby of President Donald Trump’s hotel in Singapore has turned into a bustling mixing ground for U.S government officials of all stripes.

At the swanky Shangri-La Hotel, Secret Service officers are huddling in preparation for the president’s movements. White-uniformed U.S. Navy members are perched on pearl-colored couches. Top State Department officials can be seen strolling through the lobby. An Associated Press journalist spotted CIA officer Andy Kim, a Korea expert and part of the U.S. delegation, making his way through.

They’re joined by seemingly unsuspecting tourists, youth groups and a curiously dressed bellman with a tall, plumed hat.

The hotel was picked in part due to its experience in hosting high-security events. Recently top military officials including U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis were at the hotel for the Shangri-La Dialogue, a global defense summit.

___

2:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump has returned to his hotel in Singapore following a lunch meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (lee haz-ee-en lahng).

Singapore is hosting Tuesday’s historic summit between Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un to discuss the fate of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who sat next to Trump at the lunch, says in a statement that Trump is “well-prepared” for the meeting.

Pompeo met Kim during two visits to North Korea in the lead-up to Tuesday’s summit.

Trump was scheduled to attend a meet-and-greet at his hotel with U.S. Embassy personnel.

___

2:10 p.m.

President Donald Trump got an early birthday celebration during lunch with Singapore’s prime minister.

Trump met with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (lee haz-ee-en lahng) and aides to both leaders Monday. Singapore’s minister for foreign affairs tweeted a photo of Trump and a cake adorned with one candle.

The caption said: “Celebrating birthday, a bit early.”

Trump turns 72 on Thursday.

But before he celebrates, Trump meets North Korea’s Kim Jong Un in a highly anticipated summit on Tuesday.

___

2 p.m.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in (jah-YIHN’) has no current plans to join President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the end of their summit Tuesday in Singapore.

Moon spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom also said Monday that Moon has no plans yet to speak with Trump after the meeting.

Moon has expressed hope that the summit will lead to a three-way declaration also including Seoul to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War. But Moon’s spokesman says it’s unlikely that such a declaration would take place while Trump and Kim were still in Singapore.

Trump has raised the possibility of further summits and an agreement ending the Korean War by replacing the armistice signed in 1953 with a peace treaty. China and South Korea would have to sign off on any legal treaty.

___

1:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he thinks “things can work out very nicely” with North Korea on the eve of his historic summit with Kim Jong Un.

Trump expressed optimism about Tuesday’s meeting during a working lunch with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (lee haz-ee-en lahng) and aides to both leaders.

Trump says “we’ve got a very interesting meeting in particular tomorrow, and I think things can work out very nicely.” He also tells Lee the decision to hold the summit in the island city-state of Singapore was “made very consciously” and offers thanks.

Trump tells Lee that “we appreciate your hospitality and professionalism and your friendship.”

___

1:05 p.m.

President Donald Trump has thanked the prime minister of Singapore for hosting Tuesday’s historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump told Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (lee haz-ee-en lahng) that it was a “real honor” to be with him. Trump commented as representatives from both countries took their seats for a working lunch at Singapore’s government house.

The discussions come on the eve of Trump’s historic meeting with Kim.

Trump and Lee shook hands for photographers after a one-on-one meeting and before they entered the room for lunch.

Among those representing the U.S. at lunch are Secretary of Secretary Mike Pompeo, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and National Security Adviser John Bolton.

___

1 p.m.

The U.S. ambassador to the Philippines, Sung Kim, plans another round of meetings Monday afternoon with North Korean officials as both sides continue to prepare for Tuesday’s summit in Singapore.

That according to a senior official in President Donald Trump’s administration. The official was not authorized to comment publicly about on internal deliberations and requested anonymity.

Trump is set to hold a historic summit Tuesday with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the island city-state.

Sung Kim has taken the lead on policy negotiations with North Korea. Sung Kim held an initial round of meetings with the North earlier Monday.

___

12:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un spent Monday huddling with advisers in luxury Singapore hotels less than half a mile apart, readying for a nuclear summit that could define the fate of millions, and their own political futures.

Both sides also worked to finalize preparations for the unprecedented summit.

The meeting was kicking off at 9 a.m. Tuesday with a handshake between Trump and Kim. A U.S. official says the leaders then plan to meet one on one, joined only by translators, for up to two hours before admitting their respective advisers.

The official was not authorized to speak publicly about internal deliberations and insisted on anonymity.

Tuesday’s summit will be the first between a North Korean leader and a sitting American president.

__

By Associated Press

New Post has been published on https://is.gd/PrwsA9

SINGAPORE| The Latest: Pompeo offers North Korea security assurances

SINGAPORE— Latest on a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump in Singapore (all times local):

6:00 p.m.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the United States is prepared to take actions to provide North Korea with “sufficient certainty” that denuclearization “is not something that ends badly for them.”

Pompeo is briefing reporters in Singapore ahead of President Donald Trump’s summit Tuesday with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He says the U.S. is prepared to show North Korea that rather than denuclearization posing a threat to North Korea, it’s “the opposite.”

Pompeo won’t say whether Trump would consider withdrawing U.S. troops from the Korean Peninsula.

Pompeo says that U.S. sanctions on the North will remain in place until the North denuclearizes. But he says if diplomacy fails to move in the right direction, the sanctions “will increase.”

___

5:50 p.m.

President Donald Trump called the leaders of South Korea and Japan Monday ahead of his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

That’s according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is briefing reporters in Singapore. He says Trump spoke by phone with the two U.S. allies as preparatory talks continue between American and North Korean officials ahead of the leader sit-down Tuesday morning.

Pompeo says there is “enormous potential” for the summit, but lowered expectations that the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula will happen after one meeting. He says: “We are hopeful the summit will have set the conditions for future productive talks.”

Pompeo also says Tuesday’s meeting presents a test of Kim’s willingness to agree to deal his nuclear weapons away for “protections” from the United States.

___

3:05 p.m.

The lobby of President Donald Trump’s hotel in Singapore has turned into a bustling mixing ground for U.S government officials of all stripes.

At the swanky Shangri-La Hotel, Secret Service officers are huddling in preparation for the president’s movements. White-uniformed U.S. Navy members are perched on pearl-colored couches. Top State Department officials can be seen strolling through the lobby. An Associated Press journalist spotted CIA officer Andy Kim, a Korea expert and part of the U.S. delegation, making his way through.

They’re joined by seemingly unsuspecting tourists, youth groups and a curiously dressed bellman with a tall, plumed hat.

The hotel was picked in part due to its experience in hosting high-security events. Recently top military officials including U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis were at the hotel for the Shangri-La Dialogue, a global defense summit.

___

2:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump has returned to his hotel in Singapore following a lunch meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (lee haz-ee-en lahng).

Singapore is hosting Tuesday’s historic summit between Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un to discuss the fate of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who sat next to Trump at the lunch, says in a statement that Trump is “well-prepared” for the meeting.

Pompeo met Kim during two visits to North Korea in the lead-up to Tuesday’s summit.

Trump was scheduled to attend a meet-and-greet at his hotel with U.S. Embassy personnel.

___

2:10 p.m.

President Donald Trump got an early birthday celebration during lunch with Singapore’s prime minister.

Trump met with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (lee haz-ee-en lahng) and aides to both leaders Monday. Singapore’s minister for foreign affairs tweeted a photo of Trump and a cake adorned with one candle.

The caption said: “Celebrating birthday, a bit early.”

Trump turns 72 on Thursday.

But before he celebrates, Trump meets North Korea’s Kim Jong Un in a highly anticipated summit on Tuesday.

___

2 p.m.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in (jah-YIHN’) has no current plans to join President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the end of their summit Tuesday in Singapore.

Moon spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom also said Monday that Moon has no plans yet to speak with Trump after the meeting.

Moon has expressed hope that the summit will lead to a three-way declaration also including Seoul to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War. But Moon’s spokesman says it’s unlikely that such a declaration would take place while Trump and Kim were still in Singapore.

Trump has raised the possibility of further summits and an agreement ending the Korean War by replacing the armistice signed in 1953 with a peace treaty. China and South Korea would have to sign off on any legal treaty.

___

1:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he thinks “things can work out very nicely” with North Korea on the eve of his historic summit with Kim Jong Un.

Trump expressed optimism about Tuesday’s meeting during a working lunch with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (lee haz-ee-en lahng) and aides to both leaders.

Trump says “we’ve got a very interesting meeting in particular tomorrow, and I think things can work out very nicely.” He also tells Lee the decision to hold the summit in the island city-state of Singapore was “made very consciously” and offers thanks.

Trump tells Lee that “we appreciate your hospitality and professionalism and your friendship.”

___

1:05 p.m.

President Donald Trump has thanked the prime minister of Singapore for hosting Tuesday’s historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump told Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (lee haz-ee-en lahng) that it was a “real honor” to be with him. Trump commented as representatives from both countries took their seats for a working lunch at Singapore’s government house.

The discussions come on the eve of Trump’s historic meeting with Kim.

Trump and Lee shook hands for photographers after a one-on-one meeting and before they entered the room for lunch.

Among those representing the U.S. at lunch are Secretary of Secretary Mike Pompeo, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and National Security Adviser John Bolton.

___

1 p.m.

The U.S. ambassador to the Philippines, Sung Kim, plans another round of meetings Monday afternoon with North Korean officials as both sides continue to prepare for Tuesday’s summit in Singapore.

That according to a senior official in President Donald Trump’s administration. The official was not authorized to comment publicly about on internal deliberations and requested anonymity.

Trump is set to hold a historic summit Tuesday with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the island city-state.

Sung Kim has taken the lead on policy negotiations with North Korea. Sung Kim held an initial round of meetings with the North earlier Monday.

___

12:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un spent Monday huddling with advisers in luxury Singapore hotels less than half a mile apart, readying for a nuclear summit that could define the fate of millions, and their own political futures.

Both sides also worked to finalize preparations for the unprecedented summit.

The meeting was kicking off at 9 a.m. Tuesday with a handshake between Trump and Kim. A U.S. official says the leaders then plan to meet one on one, joined only by translators, for up to two hours before admitting their respective advisers.

The official was not authorized to speak publicly about internal deliberations and insisted on anonymity.

Tuesday’s summit will be the first between a North Korean leader and a sitting American president.

__

By Associated Press

New Post has been published on https://is.gd/ERkNM7

WASHINGTON  | Pompeo points to potential security assurances for Kim

WASHINGTON  — The United States is offering assurances to North Korea’s Kim Jong Un as it seeks to put in motion the potential for a sweeping nuclear deal ahead of President Donald Trump’s upcoming summit with the North Korean leader.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. will need to “provide security assurances” to Kim if they’re able to forge an agreement. Pompeo met with Kim last week in North Korea, helping set the stage for Trump’s historic meeting with Kim in Singapore on June 12.

Trump has set an ambitious goal for North Korea to get rid of its nuclear weapons in a permanent and verifiable way. In return, the U.S. is willing to help the impoverished nation strengthen its economy.

Pompeo was asked on “Fox News Sunday” whether the U.S. was in effect telling Kim he could stay in power if he met the U.S. demands. Pompeo said: “We will have to provide security assurances, to be sure.”

The top U.S. diplomat did not elaborate, but his comment could refer to the type of assurances North Korea has sought in the past. A statement issued during international negotiations with North Korea in 2005 over its nuclear weapons development said the “United States affirmed that it has no nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula and has no intention to attack or invade (North Korea) with nuclear or conventional weapons.”

The North has said it needs nuclear weapons to counter what it believes is a U.S. effort to strangle its economy and overthrow the Kim government.

“Make no mistake about it, America’s interest here is preventing the risk that North Korea will launch a nuclear weapon into L.A. or Denver or to the very place we’re sitting here this morning,” Pompeo said from Washington. “That’s our objective, that’s the end state the president has laid out and that’s the mission that he sent me on this past week, to put us on the trajectory to go achieve that.”

Pressed in a separate interview on whether the U.S. would seek regime change, Pompeo said “only time will tell how these negotiations will proceed.”

“The president uses language that says ‘we’ll see,'” Pompeo told CBS’s “Face the Nation.” ”The American leadership under President Trump has its eyes wide open.”

North Korea said Saturday that all of the tunnels at the country’s northeastern nuclear test site will be destroyed by explosion in less than two weeks, ahead of Kim’s summit with Trump. Observation and research facilities and ground-based guard units will also be removed, the North said. Pompeo praised it as “one step along the way.”

John Bolton, the president’s national security adviser, described the types of steps that North Korea would need to take as part of a denuclearization process, including the potential involvement of a processing center in Tennessee.

“The implementation of the decision means getting rid of all the nuclear weapons, dismantling them, taking them to Oak Ridge, Tennessee,” Bolton said in an interview with ABC’s “This Week.” ”It means getting rid of the uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing capabilities,” adding the process would also need to address North Korea’s ballistic missiles.

“I don’t think anybody believes you’re going to sign the complete ending of the nuclear program in one day. But we are also very much interested in operationalizing the commitment as quickly as possible,” Bolton said.

Bolton said in an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union” that North Korea should not “look for economic aid from us. I think what the prospect for North Korea is to become a normal nation, to behave and interact with the rest of the world the way South Korea does.”

“The prospect for North Korea is unbelievably strong if they’ll commit to denuclearization. That’s what the president is going to say,” he said.

Pompeo said private-sector Americans could help rebuild North Korea’s energy grid and develop the country’s infrastructure. He described the possibility of American agriculture being used to “support North Korea so they can eat meat and have healthy lives.”

South Korea has said Kim has shown an interest in dealing away his nuclear weapons in return for economic benefits. But it remains unclear if Kim would ever fully relinquish the weapons he probably views as his only guarantee of survival.

__

By KEN THOMAS,By Associated Press – published on STL.News by St. Louis Media, LLC (Z.S)

New Post has been published on https://is.gd/ejD1Jp

WASHINGTON | Pompeo: US will need to give Kim Jong Un security assurances

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that the United States will need to “provide security assurances” to North Korea’s Kim Jong Un if the adversaries are to reach a nuclear deal.

Pompeo met with Kim last week in North Korea, helping set the stage for President Donald Trump’s summit with Kim in Singapore on June 12.

Trump’s goal is to have North Korea get rid of its nuclear weapons in a permanent and verifiable way. In return, the U.S. is willing to help the impoverished nation strengthen its economy.

Pompeo was asked on “Fox News Sunday” whether the U.S. was in effect telling Kim he could stay in power if he met the U.S. demands.

Pompeo said: “We will have to provide security assurances, to be sure.”

The top U.S. diplomat did not elaborate, but his comment could refer to the type of assurances North Korea has sought in the past. A statement issued during international negotiations with North Korea in 2005 over its nuclear weapons development said the “United States affirmed that it has no nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula and has no intention to attack or invade (North Korea) with nuclear or conventional weapons.”

The North has said it needs nuclear weapons to counter what it believes is a U.S. effort to strangle its economy and overthrow the Kim government.

“Make no mistake about it, America’s interest here is preventing the risk that North Korea will launch a nuclear weapon into LA or Denver or to the very place we’re sitting here this morning,” Pompeo said from Washingtion. “That’s our objective, that’s the end state the president has laid out and that’s the mission that he sent me on this past week, to put us on the trajectory to go achieve that.”