DATE=11/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241892
TITLE=RUSSIA-START II (S ONLY)
BYLINE=GIL BUTLER
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  RUSSIA'S PARLIAMENT IS PREPARING TO CONSIDER RATIFICATION
OF THE STRATEGIC ARMS LIMITATION -- OR THE "START-TWO" -- NUCLEAR
DISARMAMENT TREATY.  A DEBATE AND VOTE IS PLANNED AS EARLY AS 
DECEMBER.  VOA'S GIL BUTLER IN MOSCOW REPORTS SOME LAWMAKERS ARE 
DEMANDING CONDITIONS FOR RATIFICATION THAT WOULD ALLOW RUSSIA TO 
UNILATERALLY WITHDRAW FROM THE TREATY.

TEXT:  START TWO WAS RATIFIED BY THE U-S SENATE IN 1996, BUT 
RUSSIA'S COMMUNIST AND NATIONALIST-DOMINATED LOWER HOUSE, THE 
DUMA, HAS STALLED CONSIDERATION OF THE TREATY -- UNTIL NOW.   
PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS LONG URGED THAT THE TREATY BE 
RATIFIED.

THE DUMA'S DEFENSE COMMITTEE IS NOW DRAFTING A MEASURE THAT LAYS 
OUT RUSSIA' TERMS FOR RATIFYING START TWO.  IT INCLUDES A 
STATEMENT GIVING RUSSIA THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW UNILATERALLY, UNDER
SOME CIRCUMSTANCES.

ACCORDING TO THE INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY, THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT  
WOULD ALLOW UNILATERAL WITHDRAWAL INCLUDE THREATS TO RUSSIAN  
NATIONAL INTERESTS BY NATO OR AMERICAN WITHDRAWAL FROM THE 
ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILE TREATY.

DUMA SPEAKER GENNADY SELEZNYOV SAYS WITH THOSE STIPULATIONS THE 
HARDLINE TREATY OPPONENTS WOULD LIKELY SUPPORT RATIFICATION. 
(SIGNED)

NEB/MGB/PCF

19-Nov-98 11:08 AM EST (1608 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.