Obama optimistic about ratification of arms treaty with Russia

WASHINGTON. November 15. KAZINFORM U.S. President Barack Obama was optimistic about the ratification of a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia, saying that it was likely to get the necessary support in the Senate vote, Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the new arms reduction treaty, intended to replace the START 1 agreement that expired in December 2009, on April 8 in Prague. The agreement will come into force after simultaneous ratification by both chambers of the Russian parliament and the U.S. Senate.

Obama said that since the treaty was approved by the Senate's foreign affairs committee, it is likely to be ratified by yearend.

He said that Russia's "important" support for sanctions against Iran and for anti-drug efforts in Afghanistan should contribute to speeding up the ratification process.

"My hope and expectation is that, given this is a good treaty, given it has the support of previous Republican senior government officials, that we should be able to get it done," Obama told reporters on a flight from Japan.

The treaty has met strong Republican opposition in the Senate over concerns that it may weaken U.S. anti-missile defenses. The delay in ratification of the document could hamper progress in U.S.-Russian relations.

The Democrats, who have 59 seats in the 100-member Senate, need the support of at least eight Republicans to secure the two-thirds majority required for the treaty's ratification

Obama said he held "serious consultations" with Republican Senator Jon Kyl, who had earlier threatened to block the treaty until the administration spends more on modernizing the existing nuclear arsenal.

He said the treaty has the support of at least three other Republicans, Richard Lugar, John McCain and Lindsey Graham.

Medvedev and Obama signed a new arms cuts treaty on April 8 in Prague to replace the START 1 agreement that expired in December 2009. The agreement will come into force only after being ratified by both chambers of the Russian parliament and the U.S. Senate.

The pact obligates both nations to cap their fielded strategic nuclear weapons to 1,550 warheads, while the number of deployed and non-deployed delivery vehicles must not exceed 800 on either side, Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru