Ex-Soviet republics back U.S. move to stop weapons proliferation

AP Worldstream
Nov 12, 2004

Russia and five other ex-Soviet members of a regional security pact
voiced support Friday for a U.S.-led effort to stem the spread of
weapons of mass destruction.

Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan hailed
U.S. President George W. Bush’s Proliferation Security Initiative as
“a key part of global efforts to prevent the spread of weapons of
mass destruction.”

The six nations, which belong to the Collective Security Treaty,
said they were ready to cooperate with Bush’s program. It envisages
international efforts to intercept components of weapons of mass
destruction on planes, ships and on land.

“The Collective Security Treaty member states are located at the
crossroads of possible routes of illegal transit of weapons of
mass destruction … and are ready to cooperate … in taking the
necessary steps to counter the spread of WMD,” the six nations said
in a statement.

Bush’s initiative was launched in Krakow in May 2003. Russia joined
it earlier this year.

Foreign ministers and other top officials from the security pact’s
member states also discussed ways to bolster cooperation in fighting
terrorism and strengthening regional security.