12-23-2010 08:17 BJT
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The U.S. Senate has approved a new strategic arms reduction treaty with Russia. The approval is seen as handing President Barack Obama a major foreign policy win in his drive to improve ties with Moscow and curb the spread of atomic weapons to other nations.
The Senate voted 71-26 in favor of the treaty on Wednesday, following a contentious debate with Republican leaders. Thirteen Republicans broke with their top two leaders and joined 56 Democrats and two independents in providing the necessary two-thirds vote to approve the treaty.
The Obama administration has said the treaty was critical for US efforts to show credibility in its improved relations with its former Cold War foe. The accord must now be approved by Russia.
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| U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) (L) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) smile during a news conference after the Senate ratified the START nuclear arms reduction treaty at the US Capitol in Washington, December 22, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters) |
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