12 October 2011
US and Kazakhstan Set First Megadeath Control VPN
Cryptome Nuclear Power Plants and WMD
Series:
http://cryptome.org/nppw-series.htm
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/10/175248.htm
Joint Statement on the Continuation of the Bilateral Government to Government
Communication Link
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
October 12, 2011
The following statement was issued today by the United States, and Kazakhstan
in Astana.
BEGIN TEXT:
For twenty years the United States and Kazakhstan have been partners in the
struggle against the proliferation of nuclear weapons. That partnership continues
to flourish, as our nations work together to create the conditions for the
peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.
December will mark ten years since former Secretary of State Colin Powell
and then Foreign Minister Yerlan Idrissov signed the agreement which provided
a legal basis for the existence and continued operation of the
Government-to-Government Communications Link (GGCL) between the United States
and Kazakhstan for the exchange of arms control treaty notifications.
The GGCL is an instrument of mutual trust and cooperation that provides a
reliable and easy way for our two countries share information. It also serves
as a back-up capability through which our senior officials can communicate.
These secure, direct links between our two nations are operated in the United
States by the Nuclear Risk Reduction Center at the Department of State and
in Kazakhstan by the Arms Control and Inspection Activity Support Center
of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Across these links, our Centers have exchanged thousands of notifications
required by the Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty (START) and the
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).
Today, the United States and Kazakhstan are inaugurating a new phase in our
Government to Government Communication Link.
The United States and Kazakhstan are modernizing the GGCLs to operate as
a cost-effective, internet-based, secure Virtual Private Network (VPN), a
first for our bilateral GGCLs.
This new digital connection simplifies the current GGCL network. It employs
internet-based connectivity which will provide further communication
capabilities, flexibility and enhanced reliability. Modernization will also
permit the system to accommodate new responsibilities, as needed.
The commitment of the United States and Kazakhstan to maintaining and upgrading
the GGCL is symbolic of the importance both nations attach to that partnership
in arms control and non-proliferation, and to the enduring nature of that
partnership.
PRN: 2011/1702
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