07 February 2009

Nuclear Disarmament

I'll believe it when it happens, not before, but I so hope this is true:
"We are going to re-engage Russia in a more traditional, legally binding arms reduction process," said an Obama administration official quoted by the Times of London this week. "Nobody would be surprised if the number [of nuclear weapons held by each country] reduced to the 1,000 mark for the post-START treaty."

The talks with Moscow will reopen the 1991 U.S.-Soviet Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), which expires in December. "Under that pact, the two countries have cut their respective stockpiles from roughly 10,000 to 5,000," states the Times of London, adding that the negotiations sought by U.S. President Barack Obama are likely to be "the most ambitious arms reduction talks with Russia for a generation."

"A world without nuclear weapons is profoundly in America's interest and the world's interest," Obama has said.

Yes, well, duh! Still, it's good finally to hear this kind of (meaningful? sincere?) talk from a US President.

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