RUSSIA SUSPENDS PARTICIPATION IN CFE TREATY

UNCLAS MOSCOW 005795 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KCFE NATO MARR RS SUBJECT: RUSSIA SUSPENDS PARTICIPATION IN CFE TREATY REF: MOSCOW 5749 ¶1. As expected, at midnight December 12, Moscow suspended participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE). According to the statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Russia has suspended all actions under the Treaty, including exchanges of information on troop levels, and inspections. The statement said that Russia would not be bound by any restrictions of the Treaty, including on the strength of conventional forces or flank deployments, while noting that the GOR did not presently intend to undertake a "massive build-up" of troops on Russia's borders. Future deployments would be based on the specific political-military situation, "including the readiness of our partners to demonstrate restraint." ¶2. The statement attributed Russia's suspension to CFE requirements that affected Russia's security and which demanded urgent measures; to the failure of the NATO countries to ratify the Adapted Treaty and bring it into force; and to unacceptable linkages (e.g. Istanbul commitments). Continued participation in the Treaty would "threaten Russia's national interests in the sphere of military security." ¶3. The statement reiterated that the GOR was ready to continue discussions and to lift the suspension once the following issues were resolved: -- How to account for new members of NATO; -- parameters for restrictions on the deployment of forces in foreign territories; -- elimination of the flank restrictions for Russia; -- Accession of the Baltics and Slovenia; and -- Ratification and entry into force of the A/CFE and commencement of its modernization. BURNS