Obama, Medvedev sign treaty to cut nuclear arms

[April 20, 2010]  PRAGUE (AP) -- Reaching anew for peace, President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday signed a treaty to shrink their nations' nuclear arsenals, the biggest such pact between the former Cold War foes in a generation.

Caption: U.S. President Barack Obama, left, smiles besides Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Kohout, right, as he arrives at Ruzyne Airport in Prague on Thursday. The newly completed "New START" treaty reducing long-range nuclear weapons was signed by Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Prague on Thursday. (AP photo by Jens Meyer)

Tenaciously negotiated by even the leaders themselves, the treaty commits their nations to slash the number of strategic nuclear warheads by one-third and more than halve the number of missiles, submarines and bombers carrying them.

In a lavish chamber within the Czech capital's presidential castle complex, the two presidents put their names to history. The treaty must be now be ratified by Russia's parliament and by the U.S. Senate, where the White House lobbying effort is under way.

"Today is an important milestone for nuclear security and nonproliferation, and for U.S.-Russia relations," Obama said. Medvedev hailed the signing as a historic event that would launch a new chapter of cooperation between the countries.

The new treaty will shrink the limit of nuclear warheads to 1,550 per country over seven years. That still allows for mutual destruction several times over. But it is intended to send a strong signal that Russia and the U.S. -- which between them own more than 90 percent of the world's nuclear weapons -- are serious about disarmament.

"The result we have obtained is good," Medvedev said.

Inside the hall, the anticipated moment came as the two presidents picked up their pens, glanced at each other and grinned as they signed several documents, with aides transferring the papers back and forth so all would have both signatures. When it was done, the leaders seemed momentarily at a loss, with Medvedev flashing a smile and a shrug before they stood to shake hands.

Obama said the treaty sets a foundation for further cuts in nuclear arms.

And he pledged more conversation with Medvedev about missile defense, which remains a sticky issue between the countries as the U.S. moves ahead with plans it calls no threat to Russia. Obama said the missile defense system envisioned is not aimed at changing the "strategic balance" with Russia but rather as a way to counter launches from other countries.

Medvedev said he was optimistic about reaching a compromise on the matter.

[Associated Press; By GEORGE JAHN and VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV]

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