Dick Lugar

I can assure you, if we had not had any hearings, ... that it wouldn't have been defeated.

But without a strategic nuclear treaty with Russia and all the consultations and transparency measures that come with it, we will have very little hope of tackling the more acute security problems that confront both of our nations.

the record is a little bit untidy and the way forward is for this committee in the ratification process with the administration to make clear that we accept no limits on our missile defense capabilities

Earlier this month, in Prague, the United States and Russia signed the new START Treaty.

The United States is the only nuclear-weapons state not currently modernizing its nuclear capabilities and supporting infrastructure.

a decision not to ratify the treaty would forgo an opportunity and exacerbate the broader challenges to U.S. foreign policy.

I believe that the consequences of failure of negotiation need to be brought home more emphatically than they have been.

I cannot recall at any point during this period of time that either Russia or the United States seriously discussed creating a sufficient missile defense that would stop several thousand missiles, all aimed with additional warheads on…

The United States maintained a permanent, continuous, boots-on-the-ground inspection capacity in START I to monitor Russian missile production.

One of the values of having this close relationship with the Russians regarding the destruction of our chemical weapons stockpiles is that we both know what the other has at this point, and so does the rest of the world.

Nunn-Lugar supported destruction of strategic weapons under START I at declared facilities for storage and elimination.

It is a privilege to join you in welcoming our distinguished witnesses, former National Security Advisers, Brent Scowcroft and Stephen Hadley.

I remind people, the Senate approved by a vote of 93 to 6, and the Moscow Treaty, which was approved, 95 to nothing.

A 123 Agreement with Russia has been proposed by the administration.

I'm hopeful they will establish a clear outline of discussions in this area.

If the military leadership tells you that 1,550 nuclear warheads is sufficient to carry out our nuclear umbrella responsibilities, I think you're not going to get any better judgment than what they give you.

I look forward to working with you and members of this committee to achieve a timely treaty review.

It appears that Secretary Gates agrees with both of you and is apparently asking for approximately $5 billion in additional funds to achieve these ends.

Thank you for your comments with regard to the bomber counting rules.

What would be the consequences of failure to ratify the New START Treaty with regard to United States-Russia relations or our broader nonproliferation agenda?

Because this point has been raised several times, some critics of the treaty have said that missile defense or defensive mechanisms occurs in the preamble and the preparatory sentence.

I would be happier if the administration didn't find it necessary, in every statement it makes on foreign policy, to attack the previous administration.

The New START Treaty comes to the Senate at a time when Senators also are considering a new Nuclear Posture Review.

I appreciate very much your going through, today, what already has been achieved.

This is a good plan, that should be executed.