Baltics back "New START"

RIGA - The three Baltic states have thrown their support behind the US-Russia "New START" treaty, which is aimed at reducing arms stockpiles in the world's two largest nuclear powers.

“We see this treaty as a prologue, as an entrance to start talks about sub-strategical weaponry, which is much more even dangerous” than the bigger weapons, The Washington Post quoted Lithuanian foreign minister Audronius Ažubalis°saying. “We, who are living in Eastern Europe especially, know this.”

The Baltic States joined numerous other EU countries, NATO, and Russia in urging the US legislature to adopt the new treaty.

"20 years ago, the U.S. actively supported the restoration of the independence of Latvia, and the relations with the U.S. is currently among Latvia's top priorities. The present U.S. security policy, including the START II Treaty, supports Latvia's security and therefore should be ratified by the United States Congress," the Latvian foreign ministry said in a press release. 

With the expiration of the START treaty a year ago, the US and Russia are no longer directly checking each others' arsenals.

The presidents of the two countries have both signed onto the new nuclear arms reduction deal. The treaty is being put into jeopardy by the US Republican Party, which is bent on blocking any legislation supported by the US president.