Statement by Lisbeth Gronlund

WASHINGTON (December 15, 2010) – The Senate today commenced debate on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between the United States and Russia. Under the treaty, the United States and Russia would reduce the number of their deployed strategic warheads. The treaty also would restore the verification regime that ended a year ago when the original START expired. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), having inspectors on the ground in each country is fundamental to a stable U.S.-Russian relationship.

Note that UCS experts will be available for comment during and after Senate deliberations on the treaty. To arrange an interview, call UCS Media Director Elliott Negin at 202-331-5439.
 
Below is a statement by Lisbeth Gronlund, co-director of UCS’s Global Security Program.

“The Union of Concerned Scientists applauds the Senate for beginning debate on New START and urges senators to approve the treaty before the end of the congressional session. 

“The treaty, which enjoys wide bipartisan support from our nation’s most respected military and national security leaders, is critical to national security. Not only would it reduce the number of Russian nuclear weapons, it would send a powerful signal to the rest of the world that both countries are serious about reducing the nuclear threat and strengthening international nonproliferation efforts.

“After nearly 20 hearings, numerous briefings and detailed answers from the administration to more than 1,000 questions submitted by the Senate, the treaty has been fully vetted. Every senator has the necessary information and more than enough time to properly carry out his or her constitutional responsibility of ‘advice and consent.’ 

“Some of the same senators who suggest that the treaty is being ‘rushed’ are needlessly delaying debate. Senators using such obstructionist tactics are putting politics above national security. The time to approve the treaty is now.”

 

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C.