RUSSIA - Nov. 13 - Putin For Warhead Cuts.

President Putin proposes that Moscow and Washington cut their nuclear arsenals to less than 1,500 warheads each (thus throwing down a challenge to the next US President - though it is still not certain who won the Nov. 7 US presidential election, Republican George Bush Jr. or Democrat VP Albert Gore. Arguing that such a move would reinforce global stability, Putin also steps up pressure on Washington not to forge ahead with a nuclear missile defence system without Moscow's consent). He says: "As is well known, we proposed to the United States, including at the highest level, to aim towards a radical cut in nuclear warheads of our countries to 1,500, which is perfectly feasible by 2008. But this is not the limit. We are ready in the future to look at further reductions". He pledges to try and end the standoff over a missile defence: "Russia is prepared to pursue the dialogue begun more than a year ago concerning the ABM issues we disagree about" (referring to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty). "The obligation to examine all aspects of the ABM Treaty is written into the agreement itself".