Russia & CIS Military Newswire
December 14, 2007 Friday 12:16 PM MSK

Armenia could withdraw from CFE Treaty if neighbors review it – MP

YEREVAN Dec 14

Armenia could withdraw from the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
(CFE) Treaty only if its closest neighbors show their intention to
review the document, deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament Vaan
Ovannisian said.

"Armenia, at least today, will not gain any advantage if it revises
the document. Moreover, Azerbaijan, which is a CFE Treaty signatory
as well, does not restrain itself in buying arms," Ovannisian said.

Speaking about Russia’s moratorium on the CFE Treaty, the deputy
speaker said that Russia’s withdrawal from the treaty is not
dangerous, "because its military strategy does not deal with any
claims or aggressive programs."

"By suspending the CFE Treaty, Russia rectifies the mistakes made by
Russian authorities in the early 1990s," Ovannisian said. It would
have been more correct to create legal obstacles to NATO expansion
then, he said.

"Russia either was not able or was reluctant to lay down conditions
as to NATO’s constant expansion on the territory of the former USSR,
which together with the aspiration of some former post-Soviet states
to join the alliance, quite naturally, should make Russia concerned.

"This was not done and now Russia has taken countermeasures,"
Ovannisian said.