Washington: Even as the United States and Russia appear close to nearing an agreement on Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) with the restart of negotiations in Geneva this week, the Obama administration has said it can’t put a timeline to it.
"We are optimistic that with the START negotiations having reconvened this week in Geneva, the remaining issues can be resolved and negotiations completed rather quickly,
Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs PJ Crowley said yesterday.
"I wouldn’t put a particular timeline on it," Crowley said in response to a question.
"I think when it’s done and we can both reflect that this is a treaty that is in Russia’s interests and the United States interests," he said, responding to a question referring to a media report that the work on the treaty is almost done and it’s prepared for signing, presumably in Prague, in spring.
"It will be an opportunity to celebrate and to recognise the important achievement as advancing our mutual interest in arms control and non-proliferation. But let’s get across the finish line, and then we can figure out where we go from there, Crowley said.
PTI
First Published: Friday, February 05, 2010, 11:14