ways consistent with the mutual obligations of both powers to refrain from seeking advantages by exploiting troubled areas of the world. (3) Other diplomatic, economic, commercial, and cultural initiatives which are undertaken with a careful regard for the balance of risks and advantages, which are implemented on a mutual and reciprocal basis, which are consistent with the economic and national security interests of the United States, and which support the implementation of the Articles of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe-particularly the provisions relating to respect for human rights and cooperation in humanitarian fields. (4) Taking actions in all these matters in close consultation and cooperation with our allies. SEC. 2. The principle that any future treaty or agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union shall not limit the United States to levels of intercontinental strategic forces inferior to the limits provided for the Soviet Union. SEC. 3. A joint effort on the part of the United States and the Soviet Union to bring about the immediate withdrawal by Cuba of all of her armed forces from Africa. SEC. 4. Finally, the American objective is to achieve individual freedom and peace in the world. We believe that the people of our country want their Government to translate this aspiration into practical measures. We recognize that the possibilities for constructive cooperation between the United States and the Soviet Union may be limited but we declare it to be the American purpose to carry on a process whose ultimate aim is to enlarge the sphere of cooperation as much as may prove possible. SEC. 5. (a) The Congress finds that— (1) the three Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have been illegally occupied by the Soviet Union since World War II; (2) the Soviet Union appears to interpret the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, signed at Helsinki, as giving permanent status to the Soviet Union's illegal annexation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; and (3) although neither the President nor the Department of State issued a specific disclaimer in conjunction with the signing of the Final Act at Helsinki to make clear that the United States still does not recognize the forcible conquest of those nations by the Soviet Union, both the President in his public statement of July 25, 1975, and the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs in his testimony before the Subcommittee on International Political and Military Affairs of the House Committee on International Relations stated quite explicitly that the longstanding official policy of the United States on nonrecognition of the Soviet Union's forcible incorporation and annexation of the Baltic nations is not affected by the results of the European Security Conference. (b) Notwithstanding any interpretation which the Soviet Union or any other country may attempt to give to the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, signed in Helsinki, it is the sense of the Congress (1) that there has been no change in the longstanding policy of the United States on nonrecognition of the illegal seizure and annexation by the Soviet Union of the three Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and (2) that it will continue to be the policy of the United States not to recognize in any way the annexation of the Baltic nations by the Soviet Union. SEC. 6. This resolution shall be transmitted by the Secretary to the President of the United States. 23. U.S. STATEMENT OF INTENTION ON THE SALT I INTERIM AGREEMENT (1977) Statement of Secretary of State Cyrus Vance on In order to maintain the status quo while SALT II negotiations are being completed, the United States declares its intention not to take any action inconsistent with the provisions of the Interim Agreement on Certain Measures With Respect to the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms which expires October 3, 1977, and with the goals of these ongoing negotiations provided that the Soviet Union exercises similar restraint. (76) 24 U.S.S.R. STATEMENT OF INTENTION ON THE SALT I INTERIM AGREEMENT (1977) Statement of Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko on September 24, 1977 In accordance with the readiness expressed by both sides to complete within the near future the work on a new agreement limiting strategic offensive arms and in the interests of maintaining the status quo while the talks on the new agreement are being concluded, the Soviet Union expresses its intention to keep from any actions incompatible with the provisions of the Interim Agreement on some measures pertaining to limitation of strategic offensive arms which expires on October 3, 1977, and with the goals of the talks that are being conducted, provided that the United States of America shows the same restraint. (77) 25. JOINT STATEMENT ON THE SALT I ABM TREATY (1977) Joint United States-U.S.S.R. Statement of September 24, 1977 In discussions between Secretary Vance and Minister Gromyko on the questions related to strategic arms, both sides the Soviet Union and the United States of America-have reaffirmed their determination to conclude a new agreement limiting strategic offensive arms and have declared their intention to continue active negotiations with a view to completing within the near future the work on that agreement. The United States and the Soviet Union agree that the Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems, signed in Moscow in 1972 and amended in 1974, serves the security interests of both countries. They share the view that this treaty decreases the risk of nuclear war and facilitates progress in the further limitation and reduction of strategic offensive arms. Both sides also agree that the ABM treaty has operated effectively, thus demonstrating the mutual commitment of the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A. to the goal of nuclear arms limitations and to the principle of equal security. Accordingly, in connection with the 5-year review of the ABM treaty, the two sides reaffirm their commitment to the treaty. It is agreed that this review will be conducted in the Standing Consultative Committee [sic] after its regular fall meeting. (78) |