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CNN Live Today

Bush to Sign Treaty in Moscow Next Week

Aired May 13, 2002 - 14:09   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It came to many as a surprise earlier today, but when President Bush travels to Moscow next week, he will have a treaty to sign.

After lengthy private negotiations, the United States and Russia came to terms in a landmark deal that will slash each nation's nuclear arsenal by about 2/3.

Kelly Wallace joins us now from Chicago, where Mr. Bush flew today after that surprise announcement this morning.

Kelly, good afternoon, again.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill.

Well, this is one of those stories, when the White House traveling press corp, the last to find out. We were in the air, flying here to Chicago, when President Bush came out to the White House to announce this landmark deal.

We knew that United States and Russian officials had been very optimistic, saying that they were close to an agreement. The question was, when would they reach an agreement. Well, United States and Russian negotiators reached an agreement today.

The president coming out, hailing this as a true end to the Cold War rivalry between the two countries.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, U.S. PRESIDENT: This treaty will liquidate the legacy of the Cold War. When I sign the treaty with President Putin in Russia, we will begin the new era of United States-Russian relationships, and that's important.

The new era will be a period of enhanced mutual security, economic security, and improved relations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Now, some viewers might ask, what will this mean to them.

Well, the president says this will make the world a whole lot more peaceful, because both countries dramatically reducing their offensive nuclear warheads, both have as many as 6,000 warheads. They will reduce that number to only have between 1,700 and 2,200 warheads.

In the end, Bill, both sides had to give a little. The Russians reluctantly agreeing to allow some of these excess warheads to be stored as opposed to being destroyed. The United States, for its part, reluctantly agreeing to make this a formal treaty.

The two leaders will sign this in Moscow next week. Not a done deal, though, yet, Bill. It goes to the Russian Duma and to the United States Senate for approval. We know the United States Senate, controlled by Democrats -- Democrats and Republicans both support reducing the offensive nuclear weapons, but concerns some Democrats have, how many of these weapons will actually be destroyed and how many will be stored.

That's a sticking point that some Democrats are raising. Again, it goes to the United States Senate and to the Russian Duma.

Bill, back to you.

HEMMER: Kelly, thanks. Kelly Wallace in Chicago.

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