Changes

During the negotiations, however, it became clear that there was fundamental disagreement between the two sides on two major issues: how cruise missiles were to be addressed, and whether the new Soviet bomber known to the United States as [[Backfire]] would be considered a heavy bomber and therefore counted in the 2,400 aggregate. While there was disagreement on other issues such as [[MIRV]] verification provisions, restrictions on new systems, and [[missile throw-weight]] ceilings, progress was made in these areas. However, the issues of [[cruise missiles]] and Backfire remained unresolved.

During the negotiations, however, it became clear that there was fundamental disagreement between the two sides on two major issues: how cruise missiles were to be addressed, and whether the new Soviet bomber known to the United States as [[Backfire]] would be considered a heavy bomber and therefore counted in the 2,400 aggregate. While there was disagreement on other issues such as [[MIRV]] verification provisions, restrictions on new systems, and [[missile throw-weight]] ceilings, progress was made in these areas. However, the issues of [[cruise missiles]] and Backfire remained unresolved.

The completed SALT II agreement was signed by [[President Carter]] and General Secretary [[Brezhnev]] in Vienna on June 18, 1979. President Carter transmitted it to the Senate on June 22 for its advice and consent to ratification.

The completed SALT II agreement was signed by [[President Carter]] and General Secretary [[Brezhnev]] in Vienna on June 18, 1979. President Carter transmitted it to the Senate on June 22 for its advice and consent to ratification.  Carter was standing for re-election in 1980 and had pressured negotiators to make concessions in an effort to secure for himself an alleged election-year triumph.

On January 3, 1980, however, President Carter requested the Senate majority leader to delay consideration of the Treaty on the Senate floor in view of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Although the Treaty remained unratified, each Party was individually bound under the terms of [[international law]] to refrain from acts which would defeat the object and purpose of the Treaty, until it had made its intentions clear not to become a party to the Treaty.

On January 3, 1980, however, President Carter requested the Senate majority leader to delay consideration of the Treaty on the Senate floor in view of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Although the Treaty remained unratified, each Party was individually bound under the terms of [[international law]] to refrain from acts which would defeat the object and purpose of the Treaty, until it had made its intentions clear not to become a party to the Treaty.