Russian general warns of problems in nuclear talks

By Conor Sweeney

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's top general said on Thursday that problems remained in concluding a nuclear arms treaty with the United States, Interfax news agency reported, weeks before the current START agreement expires.

Washington and Moscow both say efforts to agree cuts in their nuclear arsenals are a major step towards "resetting" relations after they cooled to post-Cold War lows in recent years.

"There are a number of problems related to verification, primarily inspections, and some figures, which are currently being discussed at negotiations," Interfax agency quoted armed forces chief of staff Nikolai Makarov as saying.

But Makarov qualified his comments, saying he remained optimistic that negotiators could reach a deal. "I think all the issues should be settled," he said.

The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty runs out on Dec. 5 and negotiators have been working on a new detailed treaty to be signed by U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Makarov also said a U.S. mission to the city of Votkinsk, where Russian missiles are manufactured, would have to wind up its activities by Dec. 5.

Traditionally, the Russian military strikes a more cautious note on talks with the United States than the foreign ministry, which has pointed to progress at talks being held in Geneva.

A spokesman for the U.S. diplomatic mission in Geneva said an agreement this year would better secure citizens of both countries and jumpstart global non-proliferation efforts.