U.S., Russia Renew Commitment to International Space Station

Pledge to complement each other’s efforts to support it)

The United States and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to the
International Space Station program.

The U.S.-Russia space partnership has deepened following the loss of
the U.S. shuttle Columbia, President Bush and President Putin said in
a June 1 joint statement issued in St. Petersburg, Russia, where the
two leaders met.

They said the two countries will complement each other’s efforts aimed
at resupplying the space station, transporting its crews and restoring
shuttle flights.

Following is the text of the joint statement:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary (St. Petersburg, Russia)
June 1, 2003

JOINT STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH AND PRESIDENT VLADIMIR V.
PUTIN ON U.S.-RUSSIAN COOPERATION IN SPACE

The loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia has underscored the historic
role of the United States and Russia as partners in space exploration,
who have persevered despite tragedy and adversity. During this
challenging time, our partnership has deepened and the International
Space Station (ISS) program remains strong. The extraordinary efforts
of our countries continue. The United States is committed to safely
returning the Space Shuttle to flight, and the Russian Federation is
committed to meeting the ISS crew transport and logistics resupply
requirements necessary to maintain our joint American astronaut and
Russian cosmonaut teams on board the ISS until the Space Shuttle
returns to flight.

We confirm our mutual aspiration to ensure the continued assembly and
viability of the International Space Station as a world-class research
facility, relying on our unprecedented experience of bilateral and
multilateral interaction in space. We reaffirm our commitment to the
mission of human space flight and are prepared to take energetic steps
to enhance our cooperation in the application of space technology and
techniques.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)