US/Russia Endorse Deals
On Wide Issues
US
President Barack Obama who is in Moscow for a
two-day summit has signed several agreements with
his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.
They struck a preliminary deal on Monday to reduce
their nations' stockpiles of nuclear warheads to as
few as 1,500 each, pointing their arsenals toward
the lowest levels of any U.S.-Russia arms control
agreement.
The two leaders, in a joint conference, outlined the
agreements, which a White House statement said,
“includes effective verification measures."
The new agreement will enhance the security of both
the U.S. and Russia, as well as provide
predictability and stability in strategic offensive
forces.
‘Far reaching’
The leaders announced several other deals meant to
show progress toward improving U.S.-Russian
relations, including permission from Moscow for the
United States to transport arms across its land and
airspace into Afghanistan.
The White House says the deal will save the U.S.
$133 million a year, by waiving transit fees and
shortening flying time.
The leaders also signed agreements on the revival of
a joint commission to try to account for missing
service members of both countries dating back to
World War II and fresh cooperation on public health
issues, among others.
Obama had told a Russian-language news channel in
the days before the summit: "We want to build
relations where we deal as equals."
The two-day summit starts a weeklong trip for
President Obama that also features G-8 meetings and
a visit with the pope in Italy as well as a speech
in Ghana.
BBC/AP/YINKA