Russia Close to Leaving Arms Treaty    06/18 06:32

   Russia has moved closer to suspending its participation in a key nuclear 
arms treaty.

   MOSCOW (AP) -- Russia has moved closer to suspending its participation in a 
key nuclear arms treaty.

   The State Duma on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to support President Vladimir 
Putin's decree to suspend Russia's obligations under the 1987 
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty with the United States.

   The move comes after the U.S. gave notice of its intention to withdraw from 
the INF in February, setting the stage for it to terminate in six months unless 
Moscow returns to compliance. Russia has denied any breaches, and accused the 
U.S. of violating the pact.

   Putin has warned the U.S. against deploying new missiles in Europe, saying 
that Russia will retaliate by fielding new fast weapons that will take just as 
little time to reach their targets.


(CZ)