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Over 200 residents of the Elkhart county, Indiana, participants in the Peaceful Contacts public association, called upon the Russian and US Presidents to withdraw nuclear missiles from combat duty in their countries. The letter said that nuclear weapons on combat duty threaten the security of both countries and the world as a whole.

The authors of the letter suggest disassembling nuclear warheads and keeping them separately from carriers, or taking other measures necessary to increase the time to get missiles ready for launching.

In his response letter to Ms Cogan, the Russian President wrote, in part:

“I took much interest in your letter and the address by the residents of the Elkhart county, Indiana, in which you call on the Russian and American leadership to withdraw nuclear weapons from combat duty.

“Your opinion, as well as the position of your colleagues and other representatives of the American community, is very important for us. We are guided in our work by the will of the Russian and American people, and above all, by people’s sincere desire to live in a stable and predictable world.

“In the last few years we achieved significant results in relations between our countries. Now Russians and Americans understand each other better. It is our common task to preserve this positive potential, the task for authorities and society.

“Today, on the threshold of the third millennium, we should pool our efforts in laying the groundwork for peaceful future, for safe and free development of all peoples in the world. To ensure that, nuclear capabilities of the two countries should be gradually reduced and strategic stability enhanced. Russia is ready for that. I hope the new US Administration will walk its part of the road and join our mutual work. Your letter, undoubtedly, is the best proof that people of our countries expect their leaders to take important decisions.”