Russia can build new heavy nuclear missile: Minister

MOSCOW, DEC 29: Despite severe economic problems, Russia is still strong enough to develop a new nuclear missile if necessary, Defence Mi...

MOSCOW, DEC 29: Despite severe economic problems, Russia is still strong enough to develop a new nuclear missile if necessary, Defence Minister Igor Sergeyev said in an interview published today.

8220;The talk about our weakness is an overstatement,8221; Sergeyev said in an interview published in the daily Segodnya. 8220;If we need, we may build a heavy missile.8221;

Sergeyev was responding to a question about what the military would do if Russia8217;s parliament does not ratify the START II arms reduction treaty, under which Russia and the United States are to reduce their nuclear forces.

Sergeyev and other military leaders have strongly supported START II, saying that by the year 2007, the treaty8217;s deadline for halving Russian and US arsenals to 3,000-3,500 warheads each, Russia8217;s ageing heavy missiles will have to be decommissioned anyway.

Sergeyev appeared to reiterate his support for the treaty on today, but said Moscow can maintain a credible nuclear force and develop new missiles if necessary.

8220;Whyshould we go back to the past? the number of warheads doesn8217;t determine anything,8221; he said.

Russia and the United States signed START II in 1993, and the US Senate approved it in 1996. The Communist-dominated Russian parliament has delayed ratification, claiming the treaty would damage Russia8217;s security.

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Lawmakers appeared ready to approve the treaty earlier this month, but again delayed ratification until next spring to protest US and British air strikes against Iraq.

Sergeyev and other government officials have condemned the strikes on Iraq.

8220;We aren8217;t going to have a confrontation with America,8221; Sergeyev said in the interview. 8220;But we couldn8217;t keep quiet, since that raids on Iraq was a step away from law and toward primeval society.8221;

8220;I don8217;t know what our tough stance will bring, but i8217;m sure that it will be taken into account. Many are applauding us under the table,8221; he said.