The Debats on START in the US Senate - Republicans failed to carry out their amendments

The Republican opposition in the Senate of the US Congress continues to resist the ratification of the new Russian-American agreement on START, trying to make obviously unacceptable changes to it, the Russia-24 television channel reports.

The first such attempt to suffer a failure on Saturday. The amendment initiated by the Republican, in which it was proposed to remove a link to the relationship between strategic offensive and defensive weapons from the preamble of the contract, and a majority vote was rejected. 59 legislators voted against her, for - 37.

The arguments of the Republicans come down to the fact that the preamble in its current form gives Russia the opportunity to withdraw from the contract at the slightest feature of any changes in the American defense strategy.

In addition, they believe that the contract imposes a legally binding restriction on the capabilities of the United States in the field of pro. The discussion, flared up around McCain-Barrasso, was at times emotional.

In addition, the Republicans left no attempts to amend the preamble of the Russian-American agreement. This time they proposed to include a position in it in which the relationship between strategic and non -strategic offensive weapons is recognized. The corresponding amendment to the contract was submitted on Saturday by a senator-republican from Aydaho James Rish. Its discussion is scheduled for noon on Sunday.

During the debate of the DSNV, the opposition expressed a number of claims to the agreement, including that it has not a word about tactical nuclear weapons, according to which Moscow has an advantage over Washington. It is this concern that is reflected in the new amendment, reports Interfax .

The new agreement with Russia on the STRING in no way creates obstacles to improve the American missile defense system, once again emphasized US President Barack Obama.

"The new START Treaty does not create restrictions on the development or deployment of missile defense programs. As emphasized last month at the NATO summit in Lisbon, we will implement our plans aimed at creating a Pro in Europe to ensure complete protection of NATO members on the continent, as well as the American troops stationed there, against the growing danger of the spread of missile threats," the said in Letters of Obama, head of the Senate Democratic majority of Harry Reed and the head of the republican minority, Mitchu McConnell.

The President reminded the senators that the Russian one -way statement on the possible exit of Russia from the contract in the event of an American threat of its national interests is not legally binding, so that the United States will implement its plans in the field of about, regardless of the position of the Russian Federation.

At the same time, Obama emphasized that he was hoping for cooperation with Russian colleagues in the field of pro. "Effective cooperation with Russia can strengthen the overall efficiency of our missile defense system and at the same time meet the interests of Russia's security," Obama said.