DTN News: Mexico Hails Russia-U.S. Strategic Arms Deal

DTN News: Mexico Hails Russia-U.S. Strategic Arms Deal Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti (NSI News Source Info) MEXICO CITY, - March 27, 2010: Mexico welcomes the new strategic arms reduction deal between Russia and the U.S., the Mexican foreign ministry said in a statement. The presidents of Russia and the U.S., Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama, agreed on Friday to sign the new arms reduction treaty in Prague on April 8 after months of negotiations. The treaty will replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), the cornerstone of a post-Cold War arms control setup, which expired on December 5, 2009. "The agreement between the two leading nuclear powers, which will be signed in Prague on April 8, will give new impetus to nuclear disarmament talks and the achievement of a world free of nuclear weapon," said the statement, the text of which was made available to RIA Novosti. "We call on other nuclear powers to follow the example of Russia and the United States and start reducing their nuclear arsenals." The strategic arms pact stipulates that the number of nuclear warheads is to be reduced to 1,550 on each side, while the number of delivery vehicles must not exceed 800 on each side. Under the deal, which will have a validity term of ten years unless it is superseded by another strategic arms reduction agreement, strategic offensive weapons are to be based solely on the national territories of Russia and the United States. The signed deal is to be ratified by the parliaments of the two states in order to come into effect. Related News Kremlin says Russia, U.S. near setting date to sign new START pact Russia, U.S. can look to signing of new START deal - Kremlin Russian, U.S. lawmakers split by missile shield in new START pact U.S. missile shield plans affect new START deal - Russian army chief