RIA Novosti, Russia
June 30, 2004

FEDERATION COUNCIL TO DISCUSS CFE TREATY RATIFICATION ON JULY 7

MOSCOW, June 30 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian parliament’s upper
chamber will discuss the issue of the CFE (Conventional Forces In
Europe) Treaty ratification at a plenary session on July 7, said
Mikhail Margelov, chairman of the International Committee of the
Federation Council.

“Our committee will consider the document on July 5, and we will
recommend the chamber to ratify it”, he said.

The senator reminded that the Treaty provided for introduction of a
strict national and territorial restraints system specifying the
ceiling for ground armaments and equipment deployment and outlining
exact time and quantitative frames of the ceiling alteration not to
undermine the regional stability.

“It removes the threat of accumulating the potentials for large-scale
offensive operations and, in fact, neutralizes the possibility of
heavy materiel’s dangerous concentrations along Russia’s borders”,
said Mr. Margelov.

At the same time, he stressed that the Treaty ratification enables
Russia to retain its military presence in Armenia and the Ukraine.

“For Russia, the CFE Treaty ratification is very important, because
the new states’ accession to NATO changes the European military and
strategic configuration”, believes the chairman of the profile
committee. According to him, the CFE Treaty is a fundamental document
determining Russia-NATO relations.

Mr. Margelov reminded that after Russia ratify the Treaty the same
should be done by parliaments of the parties to the Treaty. “Their
decision as to the ratification will show how much they want stable
security architecture”, he emphasized.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress