safe to clear pg_xlog archive status directory?

I am working through getting a warm standby up and running. I have fumbled a bit, including having a non responsive standby node for a hile, which led (I think) to a big pile of "ready" files in the "pg_xlog/archive_status" directory. My thought is that I need to start fresh, so here is the process that I envision (someone please let me know if I am making mental errors):

#1 - turn off archiving on the master, restart
#2 - shut down postgresql on the replicant
#3 - clear the pg_xlog/archive_status/ dir, with an "rm pg_xlog/archive_status/*" command
#4 - perform a fresh rsync backup of my master to my replicant
#5 - bring my replicant back up into standby mode
#6 - re-enable archiving on the master and restart the postmaster

Thanks in advance,
r.b.

Robert Burgholzer
Surface Water Modeler
Virginia DEQ Office of Surface and Ground Water Supply
804-869-3066