Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Obama woos senators on START nuclear treaty
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Obama woos senators on START nuclear treaty
AFP - Tuesday, December 21
Send
IM Story
Print
Obama woos senators on START nuclear treaty
WASHINGTON (AFP) - – A landmark US-Russia nuclear arms control treaty faced a key test vote in the US Senate as early as Tuesday as President Barack Obama ramped up pressure on wary lawmakers to back the accord.
Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wooed Republicans by telephone, lawmakers said Monday, as the top US uniformed officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, wrote a letter unreservedly backing the pact.
"This treaty has the full support of your uniformed military, and we all support ratification," Mullen wrote, renewing his and the Pentagon's strong backing for the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).
Senators were on track to vote Tuesday or Wednesday on ending debate on the treaty, a linchpin of Obama's efforts to "reset" ties with Russia, setting the stage for a ratification ballot late in the week.
The White House and its Democratic allies expressed confidence they would rally the 60 votes needed to end debate and the two-thirds majority needed to give the treaty final approval -- 67 if all 100 senators vote.
"The White House believes that before Congress leaves town the Senate will ratify the new START treaty," said Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs, who told reporters Obama was calling key senators.
And Clinton has reached out to 17 Republican senators and one Democrat, newly minted Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, in some cases speaking to lawmakers several times, said a US State Department official.
On Monday, Republican Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts confirmed that he would back the treaty, and Republican Senator Bob Corker, who has played a key role in moving START forward, strongly suggested he would as well.
Speaking after a nearly-four hour debate behind closed doors to tackle sensitive intelligence issues, Corker did not rule out that some late surprise could make him vote against the treaty but said "I don't know what that could be."
Democrats easily defeated three Republican efforts to amend the treaty, as they had earlier attempts to change the document -- which would have forced a new round of negotiations with Moscow, effectively killing the accord.
Lawmakers pressed ahead with amendments to the resolution of ratification, seeking to express Republican worries notably about the treaty's possible impact on US missile defense plans without scuttling the agreement.
Corker expressed muted but unmistakable annoyance at a warning from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who told the Interfax news agency that START "cannot be reopened" and any changes would kill it. Related article: Russia warns US: Don't tinker with new START
"From the standpoint of consumption here in America that probably wasn't a great comment to have made," Corker said.
The agreement -- which has the support of virtually every present and past US foreign policy or national security heavyweight -- restricts each nation to a maximum of 1,550 deployed warheads, a cut of about 30 percent from a limit set in 2002, and 800 launchers and bombers.
The accord would also return US inspectors who have been unable to monitor Russia's arsenal since the treaty's predecessor lapsed in December 2009.
In a direct rebuff to Republican criticisms, Mullen said in his letter that START would not cripple US missile defense plans, strengthens ties with Russia, and will hot harm the US nuclear deterrent.
Corker said that his reluctant Republican colleagues should "look at our military leaders that support this," citing "a-to-z" backing at the Pentagon for the treaty as evidence it is "in the best interest of our country."
But others said they were committed "no votes" and accused Democrats of rushing the agreement through to hand Obama a major year-end diplomatic victory.
"No senator should be forced to make decisions like this so we can tick off another item on someone's political checklist before the end of the year," said Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The Russian parliament plans to ratify the accord only after the US Senate has acted.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Israeli air strikes target Gaza after rocket fire Reuters - 30 minutes ago
Foreign troop deaths in Afghanistan top 700 in 2010: site AFP - 32 minutes ago
UK-World Summary Reuters - 1 hour 1 minute ago
Three dead in Nairobi bus blast AFP - Tuesday, December 21
US gets tough on shark fins AFP - 1 hour 34 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Brazil overtakes Germany as 4th biggest car market
US gets tough on shark fins
Autistic children lack visual skills: study
New mistletoe species found in time for Christmas
UN renews I. Coast force mandate and calls for Gbagbo to go
More Top Stories »
Related Full Coverage
Obama's PresidencyWhat change will Obama bring? Will it affect the rest of us globally?
All Full Coverage »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Scientists find gene clue to 130 brain diseases
Red Moon: Lunar eclipse to make memorable solstice
Parents didn't want Sonia to wed Rajiv Gandhi: cables
Christmas getaway misery as snow stymies Europe
Fears over crime fuelled by smartphone craze
More Most Viewed »
NASA finds new form of life... on Earth
Defiant Obama defends tax cuts, eyes 2012
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 21 December 2010 Christmas chaos as snow snarls European travel
Israel and PA worked closely against Hamas
U.N. chief offered Mugabe deal to step down: WikiLeaks
|
Ukraine's Tymoshenko charged with abuse of power
Infighting delays Iraqi government formation
AT&T to buy Qualcomm's spectrum licenses for $1.93 billion
Greek PM slams debt rating agencies
Sudan court rejects one vote challenge, mulls two
Israel and PA worked closely against Hamas: cable
|
Twitter green light for courts in England and Wales
Egypt says it uncovers Israel spy ring
Insider trading witness was tech analyst: report
U.N. fears mass migration if Sudan vote sparks war
Venezuela risks consequences in ambassador row: U.S.
|
Maliki picks Shahristani for deputy PM
Mass hanging of 11 Sunni rebels in Iran
Sony warns may fall short of LCD TV sales target
Iran's Khamenei: Any Hariri verdict "null and void"
Kidnapped Mexican politician freed after 7 months
|
Special Report
Police arrest 12 men in counter-terrorism raids
|
Pyongyang says won't react to South Korean drill
No toilets costs India $54 billion annually
Rights groups worried as Cambodia orders refugee camp shut
Russia warns U.S. not to change nuclear pact
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Afghanistan guardedly backs U.S. review
Underground actors seek last act for Belarus leader
NKorea backs away from threat to attack South
Iran jails film director Panahi for 6 years
Michael Bolton sings for the saints in Assisi
Wealth managers use technology to fight rising costs
|
New divorce rules for Europe's cross-border couples
In Finland, it's not Christmas until one man says so
"Silent Night" most recorded UK Christmas song
Pete Doherty takes dance lessons for French film
Groupon names ex-Amazon exec as CFO
|
"Inception," Johnny Depp hits with IMDB.com users
Rockers hit right note with MTV for 2011
James Franco surprised to be Oscar co-host
|
Jeff Bridges reveals his True Grit
|
Underground actors seek last act for Belarus leader
|
Iran jails film director Panahi for 6 years
|
Silent Night most recorded UK Christmas song
|
Michael Bolton sings for the saints in Assisi
|
US-TECH Summary
Groupon names ex-Amazon exec as CFO
Sony warns may fall short of LCD TV sales target
Online ad spend overtakes newspapers: eMarketer
eBay goes shopping in Germany
Wealth managers use technology to fight rising costs
Pirate Bay financier takes case to Supreme Court
US seeking to expand raids into Pakistan: report
British business minister in threat to quit
U.S. envoy reveals North Korea's nuclear inspection offer
|
FCC set to back Internet traffic rules
At least seven killed, hundreds injured in Iran quake
Thailand ends 8-month state of emergency in Bangkok
|
New mistletoe species found in time for Christmas
Brazil overtakes Germany as 4th biggest car market
Iran hangs 11 Sunni rebels, urges Pakistan to act
US gets tough on shark fins
U.S. considers expanding raids into Pakistan: report
|
US regulators to approve 'net neutrality' rules
Autistic children lack visual skills: study
Iraq MPs to vote Tuesday on new ministers
Russia, India sign defense and nuclear deals
|
Qualcomm shuts FLO TV, sells spectrum to AT&T
UN renews I. Coast force mandate and calls for Gbagbo to go
Israeli air strikes target Gaza after rocket fire
|
New Google TV sets facing delays: reports
Oil-soaked boom from BP spill recycled for GM's Volt
At least seven killed, hundreds injured in Iran quake
|
Oil prices rise as cold weather hits Europe, US
Waste in U.S. Afghan aid seen at billions of dollars
|
Obama woos senators on START nuclear treaty
U.N. keeps troops in Ivory Coast, defying Gbagbo
|
Waste in U.S. Afghan aid seen at billions of dollars
S.Korea stays on guard despite N.Korea concessions
FCC set to back Internet traffic rules
|
Hulu freezes IPO plan, mulls more pay services: report
|
Early U2 "a little rinky-dink," says label boss
Australia probes alleged navy drug ring
SEC investigating Hurd's exit from HP: source
|
NZ feared China was destabilising Pacific: report
James Franco "surprised" to be Oscar co-host
Adobe outlook beats forecasts, shares surge
|
U.S. considers expanding raids into Pakistan-report
China, Taiwan negotiators begin talks
Seoul shares hit 38-mth high on steelmakers, shipyards
N.Korea won't hit back at S.Korea, open to UN experts
Pakistani c.bank to buy govt paper in reverse repo
China urged to probe Uighur 'torture'
WRAPUP 4-US envoy reveals North Korea's nuclear inspection offer
Early U2 "a little rinky-dink," says label boss
Russia's Medvedev pushes deals in India
"Barney Miller" actor Steve Landesberg dead at 65
China backs EU finance measures at start of trade talks
SKorean troops bracing for possible NKorean attack
Pakistan
"Da Vinci Code" author taking over sequel script
Justin Bieber confirms Rascal Flatts collaboration
Toyota to pay $32.4 mln in extra fines over recalls
Paramore brothers quit band
Cold weather, Christmas demand fuels oil prices
Tracy Morgan recovering from kidney transplant
Seoul shares hit 38-mth high as N.Korea worry eases
'TRON: Legacy' rules at US weekend box office
NZ farmer confidence doused by bad weather
Jeff Bridges reveals his "True Grit"
S.Korea exports up 28 pct in first 20 days of Dec
Jeff Bridges reveals his True Grit
|
Barney Miller actor Steve Landesberg dead at 65
|
Justin Bieber confirms Rascal Flatts collaboration
|
Tracy Morgan recovering from kidney transplant
|
Early U2 a little rinky-dink, says label boss
|
Da Vinci Code author taking over sequel script
|
Paramore brothers quit band
|
Iran quake kills seven, wrecks villages
Interest rates rise in Spanish bond sale
Rome suspected bomb could not explode: police
|
Lunar eclipse makes memorable solstice
Assange says Swedish accusers in a 'tizzy'
Foreign troop deaths in Afghanistan top 700 in 2010: site
Japan bio-scientists produce 'singing mouse'
Moody's warns of lowering Portuguese debt rating
Afghan civilian casualties up 20 percent: U.N. report
|
Kindergarten near-miss highlights Gaza risks
Israel sees new anti-tank missile threat from Gaza
|
Iraq approves new government with Maliki as PM
|
European freeze haunts Christmas for airlines, shops
|
Mandela son-in-law to face extradition to U.S.
|
Mandela son-in-law turns himself in for extradition
China, Taiwan sign medical deal during talks
India, Russia sign fighter jet, nuke deals
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
W. Java tops Indonesia's religious intolerance list
Russia supports India U.N. seat quest, seals deals
State of emergency lifted in Bangkok
5.8 earthquake shakes Indonesia
Apple TV sales expected to rise to 1 million
|
Google eyes smaller players after Groupon: report
|
Pakistan test fires nuclear-capable missile
Pakistani stocks edge lower, rupee up against dollar
Ulvac sees demand for small OLED panel gear
|
Taiwan looks to Carlyle cash to ease FX rise
Cyprus delays online poker ban
|
Japan's Skymark eyes larger fleet
Apple's iPad helps Israeli hospital treat patients
|
India, Russia sign deals on fighter jets, nuclear energy
Wealth managers use technology to fight rising costs
|
India, Russia sign deals on nuclear reactors, fighter planes
S.Korea co to study $350 mln Vietnam aluminium refinery
POSCO says may bid for $1 bln Korea Express stake
China online stores offering cat and dog skin products
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights