US, Russia Agree to Start Talks on Arms Control 　　The United States and Russia agreed on Tuesday to begin talks on START III and the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty next month in Moscow. 　　A joint statement issued by US Vice-President Al Gore and visiting Russian Prime Minister Sergey Stepashin reaffirmed that it is in the interests of both the United States and Russia to reduce their nuclear arsenals. 　　"In addition, we both understand that there are ballistic missile threats we both face that do not come from each other, but from other nations. That is why it is important to discuss implications for the ABM Treaty should the United States decide to deploy a National Missile Defense," Gore said. 　　The ABM Treaty was signed in 1972 between the Soviet Union and the United States. 　　At a joint news conference with Gore, Stepashin told reporters that the Russian government will try to persuade the Russian parliament, Duma, to approve the START II, under which both sides will cut their nuclear arsenals to 3,500 warheads by 2003. 　　The Russian-US relationship has been pushed to its lowest point since the end of the Cold War when the US-led NATO conducted an air campaign against Yugoslavia. Stepashin's visit is to mend the strained relations. 　　The joint statement reaffirmed the importance for ensuring the continued vitality of the US-Russian relationship and encouraging "practical cooperation of benefit to both countries." 　　Both Gore and Stepashin told reporters that they are satisfied with the outcome of their meeting. 　　"We are entering the 21st century. We have to enter it as friends," Stepashin said. "We have to understand each other. We have to respect each other." 　　Saying that the meeting went "extremely well", Gore stressed: "I'd like to say on a personal note that I have enjoyed my friendship with Sergei Stepashin." 　　"In this new era, strong US-Russia ties will be an essential component of American national security and global stability," Gore said in a statement. 　　On Tuesday, Stepashin also met with US President Bill Clinton and called on the later to provide humanitarian aid to the Serbs of Yugoslavia. (Xinhua-PD) WorldNews 1999-07-29 Page6 Full Story in Chinese