Obama govt poised to slash nuclear arsenal

The Obama administration, reversing the Bush government’s limited interest in nuclear disarmament, is gearing up for early negotiations with Russia on a new treaty that would slash stockpiles of nuclear warheads.

Secretary of state Hillary Clinton has notified Congress and her staff that she intends to get started quickly on talks with the Russians, who have voiced interest in recent weeks in settling on a new treaty that would provide cutbacks in arsenals on both sides.