SENATOR COLLINS TO SUPPORT RATIFICATION OF NEW START TREATY
U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced her support today for the New START treaty after the Obama Administration addressed her concerns about the disparity between Russia’s large stockpile of tactical nuclear weapons compared to the much smaller number in the United States’ arsenal.
Last week, Senator Collins sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates requesting information about the Administration’s plan to address the significant difference in the number of tactical nuclear weapons between the two countries. Independent experts estimate Russia has at least 3,800 of this type of nuclear warheads, and press reports indicate that the Russians have moved some of these weapons closer to their border with Europe.
Senator Collins’ letter states: “By maintaining a distinction between the threats of nuclear attack that warrant the ratification of a treaty from those nuclear threats that do not simply based up on the distance from which a nuclear attack is launched or the method by which such a weapon is delivered, we preserve an outdated model regarding the nuclear threats facing our country. The characteristics of tactical nuclear weapons, particularly their vulnerability for theft and misuse for nuclear terrorism, make reducing their numbers important now.”
In her letter, Senator Collins also expressed her support for the Administration’s recent commitment to increase investment for nuclear modernization efforts.
In response, Secretaries Clinton and Gates wrote, “The Administration is committed to seeking improved security of, and reductions in, Russian tactical (also known as non-strategic) nuclear weapons.” The letter further states, “we strongly agree with you that the characteristics of tactical nuclear weapons – particularly their vulnerability to theft, misuse, or acquisition by terrorists – make reducing their numbers and enhancing their safety and security extremely important.”
In announcing her support for ratification, Senator Collins said, “The New START represents a continued effort to achieve mutual and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons. As the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I support the President’s commitment to reduce not only the number of strategic nuclear weapons through the New START treaty, but also to reduce, in the future, those weapons that are most vulnerable to theft and misuse – and those are tactical nuclear weapons."
Please note Senator Collins’ letter and the Secretaries’ reply.
Last week, Senator Collins sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates requesting information about the Administration’s plan to address the significant difference in the number of tactical nuclear weapons between the two countries. Independent experts estimate Russia has at least 3,800 of this type of nuclear warheads, and press reports indicate that the Russians have moved some of these weapons closer to their border with Europe.
Senator Collins’ letter states: “By maintaining a distinction between the threats of nuclear attack that warrant the ratification of a treaty from those nuclear threats that do not simply based up on the distance from which a nuclear attack is launched or the method by which such a weapon is delivered, we preserve an outdated model regarding the nuclear threats facing our country. The characteristics of tactical nuclear weapons, particularly their vulnerability for theft and misuse for nuclear terrorism, make reducing their numbers important now.”
In her letter, Senator Collins also expressed her support for the Administration’s recent commitment to increase investment for nuclear modernization efforts.
In response, Secretaries Clinton and Gates wrote, “The Administration is committed to seeking improved security of, and reductions in, Russian tactical (also known as non-strategic) nuclear weapons.” The letter further states, “we strongly agree with you that the characteristics of tactical nuclear weapons – particularly their vulnerability to theft, misuse, or acquisition by terrorists – make reducing their numbers and enhancing their safety and security extremely important.”
In announcing her support for ratification, Senator Collins said, “The New START represents a continued effort to achieve mutual and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons. As the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I support the President’s commitment to reduce not only the number of strategic nuclear weapons through the New START treaty, but also to reduce, in the future, those weapons that are most vulnerable to theft and misuse – and those are tactical nuclear weapons."
Please note Senator Collins’ letter and the Secretaries’ reply.
