Hurdles still remain in pact to cut arms

WASHINGTON -- The United States and Russia have worked out broad outlines of an agreement to reduce their nuclear arsenals, but obstacles remain to be overcome, an administration official said Thursday.

It was still uncertain whether Secretary of State Colin Powell and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov would be able to solidify an agreement when they meet today in Washington, said the official.

President Bush, who will also meet Friday with Ivanov at the White House, hopes to be able to sign an accord when he and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet May 23 in Russia.

Bush has said he intends to reduce the U.S. long-range nuclear arsenal from 6,000 to between 1,700 and 2,200 warheads over the coming decade, regardless of whether Russia reciprocates.

Putin has said Moscow would be willing to reduce to 1,500 warheads,

The two sides are at odds over the nature of reductions.

The United States wants to put weapons cut from its arsenal in storage, to be available in an emergency. Russia believes the only serious weapons reduction process involves destruction of armaments.

Ivanov said on arrival Wednesday night that Moscow and Washington have two major documents in preparation. One involves nuclear arms reductions, and the second would set terms for strategic relations between the two countries.