Pushing back on report of nuke cuts, US says status quo of deployed weapons an option The USA Times

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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Pushing back on report of nuke cuts, US says status quo of deployed weapons an option

WASHINGTON - The top U.S. military leader says discussions about sharp new cuts in the country's nuclear force are preliminary and maintaining the status quo is still an option.

Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, was pressed Wednesday about The Associated Press report that the administration is weighing a reduction of up to 80 per cent in the number of deployed weapons.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff declined to comment on that figure. Dempsey said talks are ongoing in anticipation of negotiations with Russia.

The AP reported that the administration is considering at least three options for lower numbers. The potential cuts would be from the current treaty limit of 1,550 deployed strategic warheads.