G.O.P. Senators Detail Objections to Arms Treaty

[Casino67]

NYTimes.com:

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s plans to modernize the nation’s nuclear weapons complex remain inadequate and should be further refined before the ratification of a new arms control treaty with Russia, the lead Senate Republican negotiator said Wednesday.

In a memorandum to his colleagues, the senator, Jon Kyl of Arizona, the No. 2 Republican in the upper chamber and his party’s point man on the treaty, called New Start, detailed his objections for the first time since declaring last week that there was not enough time to consider the treaty this year.

From the beginning, Mr. Kyl wrote, he has been clear that he “could not support reductions in U.S. nuclear forces unless there is adequate attention to modernizing those forces and the infrastructure that supports them.” The administration has committed to spend more money for that purpose, but “there remain a few substantial concerns about the adequacy of the proposed budget,” the memo said.

“Until these issues are resolved, it will be difficult to adequately assess the updated 1251 plan, despite the welcome increases in proposed spending,” the memo added, using a term referring to the modernization proposal. “And as has always been clear, assurances from the appropriate authorizers and appropriators must be obtained to ensure that the enacted budget reflects the president’s request.”


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This needs to be debated and not forced 'down our throats' during the lame duck session. Too much at stake here.

[Sabre86]

The Russians never abide by these treaties.

 

We retired all of our Peacekeeper missile because they are MIRVed, and then de-MIRVed our Minuteman III missiles per a treaty.

 

What do the Russians do? They change their Topol-M from single warhead to MIRV, add more MIRVs to some of their R-36M2 (SS-18 Satan) missiles, and then deploy a new ICBM (RS-24) which carries 10 MIRVs.

 

Clinton Bush 43, and Obama have never called out the Russians for ignoring the treaty. It's expected from the Democrats, but President Bush should never, ever have retired the Peacekeeper missiles if the Russians weren't going to follow suit.