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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Russia, Belarus Agree To Remove Missiles

Compiled From Wire Services

The last 19 Soviet strategic nuclear weapons will be withdrawn from Belarus under an agreement signed Saturday by Russia and Belarus.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Belarus was one of four former republics - along with Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan - to inherit part of its nuclear arsenal.

Belarus declared itself nuclear-free, and since then 70 strategic, or long-range, missiles have been transferred to Russia for destruction. Seven Russian regiments have been withdrawn and two remain, the Interfax news agency said.

The removal of the last missiles will start in September and take several months, the commander of Russia’s strategic missile troops, Col. Gen. Igor Sergeyev, told Interfax.