BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Overseas this morning, Russia's lower house of parliament, the Duma, has voted on a key arms reduction treaty that has implications for both Moscow and Washington. CNN's Steve Harrigan now with more on the long-delayed decision.</s>STEVE HARRIGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After a five- year delay, Russia's lower house of parliament ratified the START II arms treaty by a wide margin. The sudden turnaround is a major victory for Vladimir Putin and comes on the eve of his first visit to the West since being elected president. The agreement would cut the amount of nuclear warheads in Russia and the U.S. almost in half, from 6,000 to no more than 3,500 a piece by the year 2007. The Communist opposition, weakened after last elections, says the treaty leaves Russia vulnerable.</s>GENNADY ZYUGANOV, COMMUNIST PARTY LEADER (through translator): START II aims to destroy the last of our missiles which could protect us from aggression against our territory.</s>HARRIGAN: Supporters of the treaty say it is the only way to maintain parity with the United States, since Russia cannot afford to replace its aging missiles.</s>IVAN SAFRANCHOUK, MILITARY ANALYST: Everything what Russia is to reduce under this treaty would have to be reduced anyway, even without this treaty.</s>HARRIGAN: The long delay testifies both to sour relations with the West and between the Russian president and his parliament. Ratification now opens the way for START III, which calls for even deeper cuts in nuclear weapons. (on camera): The toughest debate is likely to focus on the 1972 ABM treaty, which banned the construction of missile shields by either side. Any attempt to amend that treaty, the Russians say, could trigger a new arms race. Steve Harrigan, CNN, Moscow.
After Five-Year Delay, Russia's Duma Ratifies START II Treaty