U.S. to let START nuclear treaty expire

[AnOhioan]

Source: Reuters

The United States plans to let a landmark nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia expire in 2009 and replace it with a less formal agreement that eliminates strict verification requirements and weapons limits, a senior U.S. official says.

This would continue President George W. Bush's practice of repudiating arms control as a means of curbing nuclear weapons while relying more on countermeasures like export controls, interdiction and sanctions.

This approach makes many arms control experts uneasy, but the Democratic-led U.S. Congress has shown little interest in the START treaty's fate. Some congressional aides say whatever Bush does, his successor -- who takes office in January 2009 -- could seek modifications.

While the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty or START "has been important and for the most part has done its job," Assistant Secretary of State Paula DeSutter told Reuters the pact is cumbersome and its complicated reporting standards have outlived their usefulness


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070522/pl_nm/usa_russia_start_dc

[Solly Mack]

1. Yay us

sheesh

[Warren Stupidity]

2. Direct violation ot he Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty

Which treaty requires the Nuclear Nations to move deliberately toward disarmament, not away from it. The treaty is a quid pro quo deal: the Nuclear Nations are required to gradually disarm and to provide non-weapons technology to the nations outside the club, and those nations agree to not arm up. We are blowing off our obligations. We are global war criminals. We are going to deserve what we inevitably get.

[salin]

3. Is there nothing that they won't take a most reactionary position?

Campaign clips from bush in 1999-2000 need to be played regularly reminding the public that this guy masqueraded as a moderate - and that NO republican candidate today can be trusted - that all could be as reactionary and dangerous as this president and veep.

[BadgerKid]

4. Time to quote Einstein

«Ich weiss nicht mit welchen Waffen der 3. Weltkrieg geführt werden wird, aber der 4. Welkrieg wird mit Knüppeln und Steinen geführt werden.»

I do not know with what weapons the third world war will be fought, but the fourth would war will be fought with clubs (sticks) and stones.