21.   Such weapons have long been viewed as the most destabilizing strategic arms because an attacker might be tempted to use them to carry out a pre-emptive nuclear strike.

22.   The accord, which was concluded between Moscow and Washington, was seen for decades as the cornerstone for strategic arms control.

23.   The administration also is pressing Russia to ratify the second strategic arms reduction treaty.

24.   The Russian Federation has joined America in agreements to make massive reductions in strategic arms.

25.   The Russian parliament is scheduled to debate the second round of strategic arms reduction talks, known as START II, next month.

26.   The Senate has ratified the second treaty to reduce strategic arms, called Start II, but the Russians have balked, fearing an American advantage.

27.   Their numbers were being rolled back through strategic arms agreements between the United States and Russia.

28.   Then, he added, Russia and the United States can move on to serious discussion of a third strategic arms treaty, Start III.

29.   They worry that Clinton will be too willing to compromise in order to conclude a strategic arms agreement with Russia before he leaves office.

30.   Under strategic arms limitation treaties, they have to hold up much longer.