Kerry: START is a statement to the world

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and arms control advocates called Wednesday's ratification of the New START a step that would improve U.S. national security.

Kerry, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said in a written statement the pact signaled to the world the United State and Russia are sticking together when it comes to keeping a lid on nuclear arms.

"We send a message that the two countries that possess 90 percent of the world's nuclear weapons are fulfilling their obligations to reduce their arsenals in a responsible manner," said Kerry, one of the leaders of the Democratic effort to pass START over Republican objections. "By joining together, we isolate those who remain outside this international understanding."

The Arms Control Association in Washington echoed Kerry's contention. ACA Executive Director Daryl Kimball said in a statement the 71-26 vote in favor of ratification was a "victory for common sense arms control solutions."

"It is effectively verifiable, and it will build international cooperation to help secure vulnerable nuclear material and to turn Iran and North Korea away from nuclear weapons," Kimball said.