Antinuclear

New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty a hopeful START

START has also warmed relations between the two nuclear powers, allowing for more trust, and deeper cuts in both weapons stocks and dangerous nuclear materials that could fuel terrorism, as well as lowering the possibility of developing new offensive weapons.

U.S.-Russia treaty on track for cutting nuclear weapons – thestar.com, 22 Dec 10, Arms control advocates were singing Hallelujah as a new U.S.-Russia nuclear treaty moved toward endorsement by the United States Senate on Tuesday: A Christmas present for the Obama administration and those who pray that a nuclear weapons-free world would come sooner rather than later.

The Senate voted 67 to 28 to end debate on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and proceed to a final vote, with enough support to ensure the two-thirds majority necessary for ratification in a final vote expected Wednesday.

The treaty, signed by President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev last April, would cut strategic nuclear arsenals by one-third, leaving each country with some 1,550 warheads, cut from the current limit of 2,200.

It also includes a confidence-building system to allow inspection of each side’s long-range warheads, and reduces the number of missiles, submarines and bombers that carry them.

But the deal would only come into force when legislators of both countries sign on to it…… senior Pentagon officials threw their weight behind the pact, and on Tuesday several influential Republicans voted against their own party’s amendments that would have forced the treaty to be renegotiated.

Closure of the debate makes way for a vote before the holiday vacation……

START has also warmed relations between the two nuclear powers, allowing for more trust, and deeper cuts in both weapons stocks and dangerous nuclear materials that could fuel terrorism, as well as lowering the possibility of developing new offensive weapons.

U.S.-Russia treaty on track for cutting nuclear weapons – thestar.com

December 22, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized