Posted on 07/05/2009 1:46:31 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Barack Obama is on a mission to reset relations between the US and Russia with nuclear reduction at the cornerstone of his plan.
US arms control experts predict the two sides could aim to reduce their arsenals to 1,500 nuclear warheads apiece.
Mr Obama's plans continue what the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty began in 1991.
It was signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev.
In a rare interview with Sky News, the former Soviet Leader insisted further nuclear reduction is vital.
He said: "If we don't get rid of nuclear weapons the 40 countries that are not members of the nuclear club will think that those in it are trying to control the world through nuclear weapons.
"An SS18 missile contains 100 Chernobyls. I hope that Obama is that man who will be able to restart the nuclear disarmament process. I hope he is."
Achieving a deal on what Mr Gorbachev started will require some complicated bargaining.
In return for reducing its stockpile of warheads, Russia would want the US to abort plans for a missile defence system in Europe which Moscow has long regarded as a threat.
If the US agrees it will then be looking for co-operation on Afghanistan and Iran.
Moscow is also against further Nato expansion on its doorstep.
Mr Gorbachev, who is expected to meet the US President during his visit to Moscow, said current relations are not good.
"I think US-Russia relations now are much worse than in my time but I think there are chances of improving and renewing them.
"We have a new generation of people on both sides and they are ambitious enough to take on this responsibility."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.sky.com ...
He clearly recognizes the caliber of our fearless leader.
You go right ahead Ivan. We're keeping ours.
Obama keeping nukes? I thought the only arms race he was interested in was the race to toss them in the trash can.
Sorry Gorby. It’s a different world now. What the U.S. and Russia do with their nuclear weapons is now irrelevant. Too many of the really bad guys have them. Somebody is going to get nuked whether we have this treaty or not.
Does Gorby still do Pizza Hut commercials?
I was shocked to see a good communist like Gorbachev shamelessly involved in capitalism.
40 countries ? Hey drunken bozo ? What about Israeli nukes ? Why are you not including Israel in nuclear arms reduction ? They are a greater threat to you then the US. This is obviously not about reducing nuclear weapons. This is clearly about reducing US nuclear weapons. So we give up SDI and what do the drunken Russians give up ? Probably not even vodka.
In other news, it turns out that Barry Obama was really born in France, thus explaining his courage in the face of possible military conflict.
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