Russian lawmaker predicts arms deal ratification

Associated Press

MOSCOW — Despite some grumbling from nationalists that Russia caved in to the United States, the nuclear arms deal to be signed this week faces no serious opposition in the Russian parliament, a senior lawmaker said Tuesday.

Alexei Arbatov, deputy head of the parliament’s defense affairs committee, said the lower house, which is dominated by pro-government moderates, will quickly rubber-stamp the deal.

"There are no doubts that any treaty signed by the president will be easily approved," Arbatov said at a news conference.

The accord commits each country to cutting its nuclear arsenal to 1,700 to 2,200 warheads from the approximately 6,000 each is now allowed. It is to be signed when President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in Moscow this week.

The Bush administration reluctantly agreed to Moscow’s push for a formal treaty but brushed off Russian complaints about the Pentagon’s plan to stockpile some of the decommissioned weapons rather than destroy them.

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov met with lawmakers Tuesday to gather support for the deal, describing it as the best compromise Russia could hope for.

"It was the most that we could get," Ivanov said. "The main achievement is that we have managed to preserve the negotiation process."

Ivanov also said the new treaty would free Russia from constraints on its strategic nuclear forces contained in previous agreements, such as the ban on the deployment of land-based missiles with multiple warheads — the kind of weapons preferred by the Russian military for cost reasons.

Ivanov said a declaration also to be signed during the presidential summit would reflect the "limited character" of the conceived U.S. missile defense and the U.S. pledge that it wouldn’t threaten Russia.

Ivanov also sought to allay lawmakers’ concerns about U.S. military deployment in Central Asia for the war in Afghanistan, saying Moscow would try to "determine the timeframe for their presence."

"This issue can’t leave us unconcerned," he said.

Russia’s Communists and other hard-liners have assailed the nuclear deal and Putin’s support of the deployment of U.S. forces in the ex-Soviet republics as national treason.

Communist Party chief Gennady Zyuganov said Tuesday that the party leaders would meet this weekend to condemn the treaty and prepare a motion of no-confidence in the government — a symbolic move given the Communists’ weak presence in the lower house.

Arbatov insisted the deal was the best Russia could get because its military had damaged its ability to negotiate a better one by announcing plans to cut its nuclear forces for lack of funds.

The accord, to be signed when President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in Moscow this week, commits each country to cutting its nuclear arsenal to 1,700 to 2,200 warheads from the approximately 6,000 each is now allowed.

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Riley Boyd, 6, left, and sisters Vivienne Boyd, 3, ride a sled together down a hill at Anderson Center Field on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County shouldn’t expect snow and cold to leave any time soon

Residents can expect a reprieve from the snow until possibly this weekend. Colder than normal temperatures are expected to remain into next week.

Modern DNA tech comes through again for Everett police in 1989 murder case

Recent advances in forensic genealogy led to the suspect’s arrest in Clark County, Nevada.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.