US, Russia to start nuke talks in Geneva

GENEVA: An American official says the U.S. and Russia will begin talks Thursday on finding a successor to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty that expires at the end of next year.

The official says the talks will take place in the US and Russian diplomatic missions in Geneva. They will last until Nov. 21.

The 1991 START treaty significantly cut US and Russian nuclear arsenals. Washington said last week it sent Russia new proposals on nuclear arms reduction and missile defense.

The Bush administration is seeking to assuage Russian concerns about U.S. missile defense plans in Europe, an issue that has damaged relations. The official spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to be quoted by name.