U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack briefs the press in the briefing room of the State Department in Washington.
Photo: Reuters
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U.S. Concerned About Russia’s Moratorium on Conventional Forces Treaty
The U.S. administration is apparently concerned about Russia’s moratorium on the CFE Treaty. “We have troubles and problems with the idea of suspending the treaty,” said Sean McCormack, spokesman of the U.S. Department of State.
According to McCormack, they attempt to tackle the problem in contact with other member states of the treaty. "We are working closely with other treaty members to try to address some of the concerns that have been detailed by the Russian Government. And have devoted quite a bit of effort to trying to address those concerns,” the official said as quoted by the Web of the Department of States.
The United States doesn’t support this action of Russia. “I don't think that this is, you know, the final chapter in this story by any means. But clearly, it's a step that we don't support. It's not different than what the Government of Russia has outlined as their position. So we're still trying to work to resolve the issue, but it's not a helpful action,” McCormack said.
The CFE Treaty that limited the number of tanks, armored vehicles, large-bore artillery, combat aircraft and attack helicopters was signed in Paris in 1990, a year before the USSR collapse. The new environment called for adjustment, so that the weapons would be counted not by some military blocs but for each country separately. So, the Adapted CFE Treaty was inked in Istanbul in 1999 during the OSCE summit. But only four states – Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine – have ratified it so far.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin inked July 14, 2007 the decree on suspending Russia’s participation in the CFE Treaty. Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, passed the respective bill November 7, 2007. The suspension applies to the original CFE Treaty and to the follow-up agreements. Russia’s moratorium will be in force until the NATO states ratify the Adapted CFE Treaty.
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