WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s call for a world without nuclear weapons divided Republicans and Democrats on Friday as the Senate slogged through debate on an arms-control treaty with Russia.
Republican Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona argued that the treaty would be a step toward an unrealistic quest.
“I think it’s difficult if not impossible to achieve, and I question whether it’s a good idea at all,” Kyl said, arguing that the goal and the treaty divert attention from dealing with real national security threats such as Iran and North Korea.
Obama has acknowledged that eliminating nuclear weapons is unlikely in his lifetime. The treaty to cap nuclear warheads for both countries and allow weapons inspections would be a very modest step toward that goal.
Denver Post wire services
