President Obama “finalized a new arms control treaty with Russia on Friday that will pare back the still-formidable cold war nuclear arsenals of each country,” the New York Times reports.
Ending a year of sometimes topsy-turvy negotiations, Mr. Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sealed the deal in a morning telephone call, confirming resolution of the last outstanding details. They then announced they will fly to Prague to sign the treaty on April 8 in a ceremony designed to showcase improved relations between the two countries.
[…]
The new treaty will reduce the binding limit on deployed strategic nuclear warheads by more than one-quarter, and on launchers by half. It will reestablish an inspection and verification regime, replacing one that expired in December. But while the pact recognizes the dispute between the two countries over American plans for missile defense based in Europe, it will not restrict the United States from building such a shield.
Instead, the two sides each drafted separate nonbinding statements reiterating their positions on missile defense. Russia warned in its statement that it reserved the right to withdraw from the new treaty if it decided that American missile defense plans were developing in a way that threatened its security. The United States asserted in its statement that it would develop missile defense as it saw fit, but offered assurance that the program was not aimed at Russia nor at undermining the security balance between the two countries.
I’ll provide some reaction from key Senate members as they come in.
Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN):
“I commend the U.S. and Russian delegations for months of dedicated effort. I look forward to the President’s submission of the new treaty, its protocols, annexes and all associated documents to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification. I also look forward to working with Chairman Kerry to begin scheduling hearings and briefings for the Foreign Relations Committee so that we can work quickly to achieve ratification of the new treaty.”
Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA):
“I know there has been a partisan breakdown in recent years, but we can renew the Senate’s bipartisan tradition on arms control and approve ratification of this new treaty in 2010. I know that can happen. This is a moment for statesmanship. As soon as the President sends the agreement to the Senate, we will appeal to all our colleagues to set aside preconceptions and partisanship and consider the treaty on its merits. We can’t squander this opportunity to reset both our relations with Russia and our role as the world leader on nuclear nonproliferation. This is a major commitment by both countries to reduce their nuclear arsenals and an important step in solidifying our relationship with Russia. Let’s get it done.”
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV):
“Nevadans and Americans are concerned about the risk of nuclear terrorism and rogue proliferators, and want leaders in Washington to ensure America’s safety. That’s why I commend President Obama for reaching an important agreement with Russia to sign a new START Treaty in April. Not only will this treaty reduce the amount of Russian nuclear weapons by hundreds, but it comfortably maintains America’s nuclear capabilities so that we can keep America secure and deter our adversaries. I am also pleased that the Administration was able to negotiate this treaty without constraining America’s missile defense system in any way. In addition, this treaty is accompanied by investments of $5 billion over 5 years in America’s nuclear security enterprise to ensure that our nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective.
“This represents the sound global leadership that President Obama promised to deliver to protect our nation. Historically, these treaties have received broad bipartisan support, and I am confident that this treaty will achieve similar support from both sides of the aisle. I look forward to working with our key Committee Chairs, Senators Kerry, Levin and Feinstein, to bring this proposal to the Senate floor.”
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI):
“Today President Obama and Russian President Medvedev announced that the year long negotiations on a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty have concluded and that they will sign a new treaty on April 8 in Prague, Czech Republic. This is welcome and much anticipated news. Signing the new treaty will resume the long stalled process to verifiably reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the Russian and US inventories. I look forward to reviewing the new treaty when the text is available. After this treaty is submitted to the Senate, the Armed Services Committee will hold hearings on the national security aspects of the treaty and how it will be implemented. I congratulate both presidents for carrying through on their commitment to arms control.”
(credit image – epa)
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