Asia-Pacific

US: Russia arms deal close, but not finished

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-03-25 01:46
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WASHINGTON: The United States and Russia have moved closer to reaching a landmark nuclear arms control pact but are not yet finished, a State Department spokesman said on Wednesday.

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"We are still working to finalize a new START treaty but we have talked to our Czech allies and the Russians about a signing in Prague when the treaty is finished," said State Department spokesman Mark Toner, who said the talks were "close but not finished."

According to White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, "We are very close to having an agreement on a START treaty, but we won't have one until President Obama and hiscounterpart Mr. Medvedev have a chance to speak."

In Moscow, a Kremlin official earlier said the two sides had reached agreement. "All documents for the signing of START have been agreed," a Kremlin official who asked not to be identified said.