Russia warns U.S. not to change nuclear pact

[Turborama]

Source: Reuters

Russia warned U.S. lawmakers on Monday that any changes to the strategic nuclear arms limitation treaty signed by Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev in April could kill the pact. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's warning, in an interview with the Interfax news agency, came with the White House pressing for a ratification vote on the New START treaty this week before the Senate breaks for Christmas.

Some U.S. Republicans want to make changes in the treaty, which they say could limit U.S. national security options, and to the accompanying ratification resolution before voting.

Democrats, whose Senate majority was reduced in congressional elections last month, have moved to bring the treaty to a vote this week before the new chamber takes office in January. It needs 67 votes for approval in the 100-member Senate.

"I can only underscore that the Strategic Nuclear Arms Treaty, worked out on the strict basis of parity, in our view fully answers to the national interests of Russia and the United States," Interfax quoted Lavrov as saying in an interview. "It cannot be opened up and become the subject of new negotiations," Lavrov said.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6BD54220101220

[BeyondGeography]

1. How dare they question the thought processes of true patriots like Mitch McConnell and John Kyl

[wisteria]

2. This statement is going to make the usually republican a**holes dig their heels in deeper.

They want to discredit and force changes in the treaty after stalling it for months now. These partisian hateful republicans don't give a sh*t about the security of America-their only concern is obstructing and making our President look weak for political gains for themselves. The news media really needs to be calling this creeks out now.

[nyy1998]

3. Is there atleast 9-10 sensible foriegn policy Republicans in the Senate?

Outside of Lugar, and maybe the Maine sisters, and possibly Kirk of Illinois and Brown of Massachusetts, I'm not entirely convinced, there's too many Republican votes that can be gained.

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. Russia Warns Senate Not to Amend Arms Control Treaty

Source: NYT

WASHINGTON — Russia warned the United States Senate on Monday not to rewrite the new arms control treaty being debated on Capitol Hill as American lawmakers clashed about the politics of ratification in the waning days of the Congressional session.

Republican critics of the treaty, known as New Start, offered more amendments to the treaty’s language on verification and launcher limits. But any change to the treaty text would require both countries to return to the negotiating table, and Moscow made it clear that senators had to accept the treaty or reject it as it is, without amendments.

“I can only underscore that the strategic nuclear arms treaty, worked out on the strict basis of parity, in our view fully answers to the national interests of Russia and the United States,” Sergey V. Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, told the Interfax news agency on Monday. “It cannot be opened up and become the subject of new negotiations.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/world/europe/21start.html?_r=1

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

5. Eek!

:scared:

:eyes:

[DJ13]

6. Now the GOP knows how it feels

"Senate Republicans warn House Dems not to amend tax cut bill"

[musiclawyer]

7. DNC should just go on a fundraising tour in Russia

Get some of their oligarchs to drop some serious coin. I mean, Citizens United allows this. Just disclose who gives. Go for it!

[Beavker]

8. The Rest of the World knows what most US citizens don't

The US Senate is a steaming pile, and not only dragging this country down, but on the verge of creating international unrest. They are a travesty.

[Name removed]

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