WANING SUPPORT FOR START II?

Sketchy reports on Tuesday’s closed Duma hearing, devoted to discussion of START II ratification, suggested that a failure by the president’s office to lobby vigorously for ratification of the treaty has contributed to formation of a growing consensus in parliament opposed to it. Independent sources in the Duma and the presidential staff were reported to believe that the decision on ratification is likely to be postponed until after the presidential election. (Nezavisimaya gazeta & Interfax, March 6)

Lebed Explains Himself.