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Security in Space The Next Generation - UNIDIR

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actions. As these groups develop consensus, the results can be forwarded<br />

to COPUOS for consideration.<br />

ENHANCING TRANSPARENCY AND<br />

BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN INTENTIONS<br />

Given the complexity of these topics, the deliberations may take some<br />

time. As a result, it is important that they not become distorted by parochial<br />

political agendas or unnecessarily duplicated by compet<strong>in</strong>g discussions <strong>in</strong><br />

other venues. COPUOS scientifi c and technical subcommittee meet<strong>in</strong>gs<br />

should rema<strong>in</strong> the key multilateral forum for consider<strong>in</strong>g general best practice<br />

guidel<strong>in</strong>es regard<strong>in</strong>g the peaceful use of outer space. Any consideration of<br />

outer space TCBMs <strong>in</strong> other bilateral and multilateral sett<strong>in</strong>gs should take<br />

<strong>in</strong>to full account what goes on <strong>in</strong> both civil society and at COPUOS.<br />

With regard to TCBMs specifi cally relat<strong>in</strong>g to the use of outer space to<br />

ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational peace and security, the United States also favours<br />

a bottom-up approach that beg<strong>in</strong>s with bilateral dialogues with foreign<br />

governments on space security issues. In particular, these discussions can<br />

explore measures that can <strong>in</strong>crease transparency regard<strong>in</strong>g national security<br />

space policies and strategies, thus reduc<strong>in</strong>g uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty over <strong>in</strong>tentions.<br />

Bilateral discussions also could consider new measures that could decrease<br />

the risk of mis<strong>in</strong>terpretation or miscalculation dur<strong>in</strong>g, for example, a crisis<br />

or confrontation.<br />

One such measure could be creat<strong>in</strong>g new or expand<strong>in</strong>g established “hot l<strong>in</strong>es”<br />

between capitals, allow<strong>in</strong>g political and military leaders to communicate<br />

directly with each other regard<strong>in</strong>g space <strong>in</strong>cidents. Specifi c measures could<br />

<strong>in</strong>clude regular exchanges between senior space commanders and their<br />

staffs as well as launch and satellite operations offi cers.<br />

US offi cers <strong>in</strong> Florida, Colorado and California look forward to welcom<strong>in</strong>g<br />

their Russian counterparts, and to reciprocal future visits to launch centres<br />

and movement control centres <strong>in</strong> Russia. Such exchanges can help to<br />

build mutual understand<strong>in</strong>g and enhance trust—two key prerequisites for<br />

enhanced cooperation and crisis management.<br />

<strong>The</strong> United States trusts our record of cooperation with Russia will be<br />

considered as part of a broader exam<strong>in</strong>ation of options for voluntary<br />

67

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