Kaufman, Casey, Franken Speak on Nuclear Security and START Agreement
March 19, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, Senator Ted Kaufman (D-DE) joined Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Al Franken (D-MN) on the Senate floor to discuss nuclear security and to urge the adoption of a new START agreement.
“The Senate should take action on a START follow-on treaty as soon as possible in order to keep Americans safe and protect global security,” Senator Kaufman said in his remarks. “And for anyone who has doubts, rest assured that the President and his negotiating team are working hard to finalize a treaty that – first and foremost – advances U.S. security interests.”
“Without a clear commitment to our nonproliferation responsibilities through a new START agreement, it will be increasingly difficult for the U.S. to secure international support in addressing the urgent security threats posed by the spread of nuclear weapons,” said Senator Casey. “This treaty would reduce deployed nuclear weapons in the U.S. and Russia and would provide crucial verification measures that would allow a window into the Russian nuclear program.”
“I am confident the successor to START will be equally historic,” said Senator Franken. “The world has changed, and this will be a new treaty for a new world with a new set of nuclear challenges. But the bottom line for the new treaty remains the same as it was for the original START: The treaty must--and it will--advance our national security interests.”
The Administration is in the final stages of negotiating the START treaty with Russia. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is currently in Russia where START is expected to be on the agenda.
Last month, Vice President Joe Biden in a speech at the National Defense University discussed the Obama Administration’s efforts to protect our country from nuclear threats. These efforts include negotiating and ratifying a new START treaty with Russia to reduce deployed nuclear weapons, increasing funding to safely maintain the U.S. nuclear stockpile and confronting the challenges of rogue states and terrorists seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.
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Senator Kaufman's full remarks, as prepared for delivery:
Mr. President, I join my friends Senators Casey and Franken today to underscore the importance of reducing our nuclear arms. I have spoken in the past about the importance of signing a successor treaty to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, in order to maintain important verification and other confidence-building measures. I have also spoken in support of the President’s Fiscal Year 2011 spending priorities, which include a program to modernize and secure our nuclear arsenal.
Today, I would like to go back to basics when talking about arms reduction, because it is easy to get lost in the details and misconceptions, and forget the big picture. First, we must remember what is at stake when it comes to our nuclear arms reduction policy. We cannot afford to lose sight of why is it so important to get a successor to START, why it must be the right successor, and why the Senate should take action on the treaty in the near term.
This treaty was signed with the Soviet Union at a time when we still had fallout shelters to prepare for nuclear war. Almost two decades later, a nuclear attack is more likely to originate from rogue regimes or non-state actors, but it is still critical that we not take our eye off the ball when it comes to existing nuclear stockpiles.
American and Russian nuclear weapons alone account for almost 96% of the world’s nuclear arsenal, and stockpile reduction remains a significant challenge in easing residual tensions of the Cold War. The accumulation of nuclear serves as a reminder of the animosity that existed between our countries, much of which has now been relegated to the pages of history. Our nuclear stockpiles reflect realities of the past, not the economic and security considerations of the present and future.
START is symbolically significant because it serves as the cornerstone of the world’s non-proliferation efforts and sets tough international standards. With no arms reduction treaty between the United States and Russia, we hand cynics and opportunists around the globe a pretext for derailing non-proliferation efforts.
Now that START has expired, we need a follow-on treaty because security needs have changed since the Cold War. This is why we must ensure that we end up with the right treaty, not just one that renews now-outdated provisions of START. It is important that a new treaty both adapts to the needs of the world today and presents a clear vision for a more secure future.
It is expected that Americans and Russians have different ideas of this vision and how we can get there. Both countries have domestic political considerations which also complicate matters.
Throughout this process, I have been thoroughly impressed with Ambassador Rose Gottemoeller and her negotiating team, which have consistently maintained their focus and core principles. The Obama administration wants the right treaty, not just any treaty, and future generations will likely benefit from its steadfast dedication and resolve.
Finally, we must consider the parameters of the treaty we hope to achieve. By definition, a lasting treaty cannot be drawn unilaterally, so it must be something mutually acceptable to both the United States and Russia.
At the same time, there are some important red lines which must be reflected in the final treaty, from the perspective of the United States. First, it must have an intrusive verification system in order to maintain confidence and avoid catastrophic misunderstandings between the two sides. Second, it must reduce ready-to-go strategic arsenals in a meaningful way, which means addressing upload capability. Third, it must allow modernization of our existing nuclear capabilities to enhance national and international security. And fourth, it must remain a strategic offensive treaty, with an intentionally narrow scope. We should not include any other types of weapons systems, including anti-ballistic missile systems, under its regulatory umbrella.
Mr. President, the Senate should take action on a START follow-on treaty as soon as possible in order to keep Americans safe and protect global security. And for anyone who has doubts, rest assured that the President and his negotiating team are working hard to finalize a treaty that – first and foremost – advances U.S. security interests.
I look forward to working with my colleagues on this issue because the responsible reduction of nuclear stockpiles is one of the most important measures we can take to improve global security for future generations. Thank you.
