The ratification of the newly signed START Treaty by the US Congress may run into obstacles, even though the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton assured those concerned that the treaty will be ratified in the middle of September.
Mrs. Clinton’s reassuring statement on the new START Treaty comes ahead of the midterm elections in November. Apparently, the Democrats are set to make it clear that they are strong enough to reach an agreement with the Republicans so that the Treaty will sail through both houses without mishap. In her speech Mrs.Clinton tried to win over the public by implying that the Treaty would enable the US to conduct inspections of Russian nuclear facilities, something Washington will find it hard to carry out otherwise.
Hillary Clinton was quick to remind the lawmakers that the Democrats had postponed voting on the Treaty from August to September so that the opponents could have more time to clarify issues that remain outstanding. Mrs.Clinton plans to meet with those undecided in person during the recess.
It looks like that new START is being used by both Democrats and Republicans for their own politically motivated agendas. START-1 was used for similar purposes. A few more US-Russian draft agreements on disarmament found themselves on the back shelves for the same reason. The very last one, an agreement on cooperation in nuclear energy, has yet to be ratified. The acknowledgment by Hillary Clinton that the START Treaty has become hostage to political bickering is evidence that the “reset” of US-Russian relations may suffer a fierce blow. Fyodor Lukianov, who sits on the Russian foreign and defense policy council, comments.
"With the midterm elections just round the corner, it looks like the Republicans are set to win," he says.
The Democrats may lose a majority in both houses at worst and will surely lose a majority in the Senate. This suggests that the ratification process may run into hurdles. Meanwhile, the Treaty is crucial to the US and the rest of the world. It is proof that at least some effort is being made to cut nuclear potentials and guarantee nuclear non-proliferation.
Fyodor Lukianov dwelled on the Kremlin’s position concerning simultaneous ratification of the Treaty by both sides:
"If the Senate supports the Treaty and signals readiness to ratify it, the Russian lawmakers will gather immediately and ratify it too, even if all of them are on vacation."
Moscow and Washington should learn to safeguard their interests by providing joint solutions to global issues. No time-serving party interests should interfere in the process.
Download
Please rate: