Senator Lugar mentioned in his speech at a conference in Virginia yesterday that the U.S. administration is ready to accept a "legally binding" arms control agreement with Russia when START Treaty expires in 2009. Here is what he said:
Last year, I was concerned by reports that U.S.-Russian negotiations did not include discussions of a legally binding treaty or the continuation of a formal verification regime. I am pleased to report that the Administration has changed course and will accept a legally-binding regime.
It would be good to see how the Administration itself sees it, but it seems to be a good news anyway - "legally binding" is one of those codewords that Russia absolutely insisted on being part of the discussion. As I understand, that was the single most contentious point during the last year discussions.
The irony is that the readiness of the United States to have a binding agreement may, in fact, make the extension of START more difficult. But then, once Russia gets its main symbolic prize, the definitions may become fairly flexible - as far as I remember, the Moscow Treaty was declared "legally binding" as well.
UPDATE 02/03/08: Russia, on the other hand, complains that there is no progress at the consultations and the U.S. approach to negotiations is disappointing.
The book
Comments
Pavel:
I’m at a loss. What exactly was “legally binding” in the Moscow Treaty? (SORT)
Frank Shuler
USA
The very fact that it was a treaty, not a declaration or a joint statement, was quite a big deal for Russia at the time. Nobody cared about the actual "binding-ness".
Pavel:
Upon reflection, I can see the logic in having the Moscow Treaty (SORT) ratified by the US Senate and the Duma. Such an agreement should have the legislative approval of government. I don’t think Russia feelings on this issue were out of place in the least.
Frank Shuler
USA
FYI:
http://nvo.ng.ru/printed/205038
Start of "Bulava" deployment is said to be postponed till 2012 (and possibly later).
> Senator Lugar mentioned in his speech at a conference in Virginia yesterday that the U.S. administration is ready to accept a "legally binding" arms control agreement with Russia when START Treaty expires in 2009.
- The most interesting in this news is a personality of newsmaker... Great friend of Russia, indeed!
:-)
Sergey: Yes, I've seen that article. As I mentioned elsewhere, I'd be skeptical about it. But it does look like Bulava will be delayed.
Russian: Armchair strategists like you may make snide remarks about Lugar all they want, but I know that the Russian military who are getting the Nunn-Lugar money are quite happy about the program.
> Armchair strategists like you may make snide remarks about Lugar all they want, but I know that the Russian military who are getting the Nunn-Lugar money are quite happy about the program.
- Usually, this 'unsnide' 'Nunn-Lugar program' happily gives money to Russian militaries for dismantling of something... ;-)
> Armchair strategists like you...
- As to 'armchair strategists', - I can only guess that it's you, Pavel, at your best. At least, I'm at VPK system, and, please note, - I do not make permanent errors in my 'expert' ;-) predictions (like you do).
Russian: Well, what then a "VPK expert" like you is doing at the site that is full of "permanent errors"? What are those, by the way?
On a more civil note:
Maybe I missed something in my focus on SSBNs, but has there been any word on the INF treaty? Have they officially withdrawn?
Is that the same Lugar who wanted NATO to respond militarily to "energy threats" like cutting natural gas supply?
Rich: The INF Treaty is still there. In fact, in October 2007 Russia and the United States introduced a joint resolution that calls on other countires to join.
> Russian: Well, what then a "VPK expert" like you is doing at the site that is full of "permanent errors"? What are those, by the way?
- First of all: I am not a 'VPK expert' - I just a private person working together with 'VPK experts' ;-) on web promote of VPK's 'civil' production. In short, I am a SEO (surfing effectivity optimizer), and my work - to find a clients (a 'target visitors' for a site) for business of any kind...
- Your site, Pavel, is really interesting as a news integrator, but I honestly must said that many of your prediction looks erroneous, tendentious and / or politically influenced...
Russian: There was a reason "VPK expert" was in quotes. Anyway, I don't really see any point in continuing this discussion.
> What are those, by the way?
Your prediction:
'Most of the 252 currently operational SS-25 / Topol missiles will be decommissioned in the next two years. The Rocket Forces expect to withdraw 207 of them in 2007 - 2008'.
Here:
http://russianforces.org/blog/2006/12/mirving_topolm_and_other_missi.shtml
Please note that:
- Today, still 213 SS-25s at service; (252 - 213) = only 39 SS-25s were commissioned.
- There are also other mistakes...
Permission granted to stop visiting this site then....