[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 179 (Friday, December 4, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12409-S12410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EXPIRATION OF START

  Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, tonight, the Strategic Arms Reduction 
Treaty will expire, and with it the primary framework for the reduction 
of nuclear weapons for the last 20 years. Today, I would like to speak 
a few minutes about the critical importance of an offensive strategic 
arms reduction, and why we must establish a follow-on treaty to START.
  In September, President Obama proposed a resolution to the United 
Nations Security Council to eliminate nuclear weapons, ban production 
of the fissile material, outlaw nuclear tests,

[[Page S12410]]

and safeguard existing weapons stockpiles. World leaders approved the 
resolution, joining with the President's previous statements that 
``America seeks a world with no nuclear weapons.'' This is not a vision 
of unilateral disarmament, but a vision for multilateral action. It is 
a vision of working step by step with every nation to draw down nuclear 
arsenals together. It is a critically important goal, and one of the 
best ways to ensure a safer future and a safer world.
  In the past few years, we have seen a rise in clandestine nuclear 
programs developed by rogue states, including those which have 
successfully acquired a nuclear arsenal. This growing threat--primarily 
from North Korea and Iran--underscores the value of international 
strategic arms treaties. These are global challenges which require 
global solutions and a multilateral approach. The best way to combat 
proliferation is unity of the international community, and I am pleased 
that one of the greatest successes of President Obama's policy of 
engagement with Iran has been a growing convergence of views 
identifying Iran's nuclear program as a threat not just to one region 
but to the world.
  While multilateralism is the best way to effectively reduce the 
threat posed by nuclear weapons, we must look to successful bilateral 
agreements as a model, including START. This historic agreement laid 
the groundwork for a common understanding between the United States and 
Russia regarding nuclear weapons, and truly symbolized the end of the 
Cold War. It allowed us to talk about previously taboo subjects, such 
as the Triad and intrusive verification, and develop a shared language 
of expertise and evaluation that reduced our nuclear arsenals. More 
importantly, it provided a process of arbitration that avoids 
confrontation, establishes legal mechanisms to forever avoid a nuclear 
war.
  The stability START provided allowed both the United States and 
Russia to reduce our nuclear stockpiles and engage in negotiations 
about curbing proliferation worldwide. It also built great confidence 
in the other as a partner. Since its inception, START has served as an 
enabler of global non-proliferation efforts. Now this critical treaty 
is set to expire, and it is time to move to establish a follow-on which 
reflects the requirements of the 21st century, and allows the United 
States and Russia to continue this valuable partnership in 
nonproliferation together.
  This is why I am a cosponsor of legislation which provides a legal 
basis for extending the START verification regime, and I strongly 
support the work of the Obama administration--under the leadership of 
Assistant Secretary of State for Verification and Compliance Rose 
Gottemoeller--to negotiate the follow-on treaty. We owe it to Americans 
to place consideration of the new treaty at the top of the agenda when 
it is submitted, so the United States can continue to pave the way 
toward a safer and more secure world.

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