Gates, Clinton Say No Secret Negotiations Taking Place On START

By Sarah Mamula
Talk Radio News Service

Though U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dimitry Medvedev signed the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) in Prague this past April, Congress has to yet to ratify.

Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton defended START, saying it will limit strategic offensive arms in both the U.S. and Russia in order to ensure stability and predictability between the two nations that together, possess 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons.

Despite bipartisan enthusiasm for ratification, Ranking Member John McCain (R-Ariz.) said he has concerns over the potential constraints in missile defense due to the inclusion of Article 5, as well as a unilateral statement made by Russia at the time of the signing that stated Russia would only validate START if the U.S. halted its defense missile build-up.

“That is a strong statement at the time of the signing,” said McCain.

Clinton, however, downplayed its significance, telling the committee, “We are not bound by it. In fact, we’ve issued our own statement making clear that the United States intends to continue improving and deploying effective missile defense systems.”

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, who also testified, agreed with Clinton’s view that neither Article 5 nor Russia's statement would affect U.S. missile defense capabilities.

According to Gates, the new START retains U.S. power to maintain, modernize and deploy “the most effective missile defenses possible.”

When questioned about a recent press report claiming that secret negotiations regarding restrictions on defense missiles were occurring, Clinton defended the transparency of the U.S.-Russia negotiations on the treaty.

“There is no secret deal,” she stressed. “There is no plan to limit U.S. missile defenses in this treaty.”

The George C. Marshall Foundation Honors Defense Secretary Robert Gates

By Meagan Wiseley - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was honored with the George C. Marshall Foundation Award today, on the 50th anniversary of Marshall’s death. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Gates both delivered remarks at the luncheon remembering Marshall's legacy.

“He has a humility and an aptitude for quiet but strong leadership, he has a devotion to the men and women of the United States military and he is a public servant with a Marshall view of the world," Clinton said of Gates.

“Thanks to George Marshall’s leadership ... the Marshall plan was as bold and visionary a demonstration of American leadership as any in our history,” said Clinton. “There didn’t seem to be a challenge that he ever faced that he couldn’t determine a way forward,” she added.

During his career, Marshall held both positions currently occupied by Secretaries Gates and Clinton. Marshall also served as U.S. Army Chief from 1939 through WWII.

“Receiving this award is a true honor. The placement of my name anywhere near that of George Marshall is incredibly humbling,” said Gates.

Robert Gates was named Secretary of Defense in December 2006. He was appointed then by President George W. Bush and was renominated earlier this year by current President Barack Obama.