6. START III Process
During consultations held last week on START-III in Geneva, Russia insisted not only on a more drastic reduction in the number of both sides' nuclear warheads, but also that a provision be included in the treaty requiring a reduction of submarine-based cruise missiles and limiting the US anti-submarine activity in areas neighboring Russian territorial waters. At the same time, the U.S. expressed its desire to re-equip submarine-based ballistic missiles so that they turn into non-nuclear weapons, while retaining the right to restore their capability to bear nuclear warheads.
"START-III Consultations Bumpy"
Stephen I. Schwartz, publisher of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, says that in documents obtained by the Bulletin, US negotiators sought to allay Russian fears about a possible US national missile defense system by ruling out any future reductions in strategic nuclear warheads below the 1,500-2,000 level and encouraging Russia to maintain its nuclear forces on constant alert.
"Introduction to ABM Treaty 'Talking Points'"
US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) vowed to block approval of any arms agreement that US President Bill Clinton might negotiate with Russia during his final months in office. William Safire and an editorial in the Washington Times both argued that any agreement between Clinton and Russian President Vladimir Putin could have negative effects on US security. Nonetheless, the Washington Post reports, the Clinton administration intends to push for an agreement on missile defense.
"Helms Vows To Obstruct Arms Pacts Any New Clinton Accord With Russia Ruled Out"
"Dangerous Summit"
"Russian Missile Roulette"
"U.S. To Push Russia on Missiles"