Obama heads to Prague to sign arms deal
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U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday night left for Prague, the Czech Republic, to sign a new nuclear disarmament treaty reached between the United States and Russia.
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Graphics shows content of new U.S.-Russia pact which will be signed on April 8 in Prague. [Zhang Liyun/Xinhua] |
Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev will sign the Treaty between the United States of America and Russia on Measures to Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms.
Under the treaty, the deployed warheads held by the two super nuclear powers will be reduced to 1,550, about 30 percent lower than a previous nuclear disarmament treaty's limitation.
The number of deployed and non-deployed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launchers, submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launchers, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear weapons will be limited at 800, and the number of deployed ICBMs, SLBMs, and heavy bombers equipped for nuclear weapons will be limited at 700.
Before the signing ceremony on Thursday morning, Obama and Medvedev are expected to discuss common concerns, including a possible UN resolution on sanctions against Iran. The two leaders will also have a launch with their Czech's counterpart Vaclav Klaus.
Obama is scheduled to meet with leaders from 11 Central and Eastern European countries in Prague.
