08-03-10 Russia and U.S. Sign Nuclear Arms Reduction Pact

The United States and Russia opened what they called a new era in their tumultuous relationship on Thursday as they signed an arms control treaty and presented a largely united front against Iran’s nuclear program,marking a sharp change since they broke over the Georgia war two years ago.In a ceremony filled with flourish and the echoes of history,President Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev put aside the tensions of recent years to seal the New Start pact paring back their nuclear arsenals.The two leaders used the moment to showcase their growing personal relationship and a mutual commitment to cooperation on a host of issues.The celebratory mood in the majestic,gilded hall of Prague Castle masked stubborn divisions on matters like missile defense and European security.Mr.Obama avoided any public criticism of Russia’s human rights record.And while they resolved to seek even deeper cuts in nuclear weapons,such an agreement would be much harder to reach than the one they signed Thursday.