Russian radar station in Latvia shut down on schedule

VIENNA, 4 September 1998 - In line with the "Agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the Russian Federation on the Legal Status of the Skrunda Radar Station during its Temporary Operation and Dismantling" which was signed in April 1994, the Russian Federation on 31 August 1998 fulfilled its obligations to switch off the Skrunda radar station in Latvia. Experts from the OSCE, which has been assisting in the implementation of the Agreement, visited the radar station on 3 September to confirm that the radar has been turned off. This brings to an end the period of temporary operation of the radar station and marks the beginning of the dismantling phase.

According to the 1994 Agreement, the Russian Federation was permitted to operate the radar station until 31 August 1998. Another year and a half is permitted for dismantling the installation until the Agreement expires on 29 February 2000.

In June 1994, Latvia and Russia requested CSCE (today OSCE) assistance in the implementation of the Agreement. A Joint Latvian-Russian Implementation Committee under the chairmanship of the OSCE was established in May 1995. The Agreement was monitored by international inspection teams twice a year, beginning with the initial baseline inspection in August 1995.

The OSCE Representative to the Joint Committee on the Skrunda Radar Station, Colonel Jurgen Hubschen, reports that "the entire work has been done in a very professional way, in an atmosphere of mutual respect and good spirit." The Chairman-in-Office, Polish Foreign Minister Bronislaw Geremek, expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of this process which can be regarded as an important confidence-building measure.