US to stop sharing forces data with Russia

Πηγή: Business Line
Nov 23 2011

Blaming Moscow for non-cooperation, the United States has announced to stop sharing data with Russia on its troops presence in Europe.

“The US has made a decision to cease implementing, vis-a-vis Russia, certain obligations under the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty.

This move responds to Russia’s cessation of implementation of CFE (Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe), which began in December 2007, and the subsequent impasse with Moscow on a way forward,” State Department spokesperson, Ms Victoria Nuland, said yesterday.

Adopted in November 1990, it was seen as a groundbreaking accord credited with greatly advancing global security. But Russia suspended its observance of the treaty in 2007.

The US she said has made repeated efforts to bring Russia back to full implementation of CFE.

“Efforts were made in 2007. Efforts were made in 2009 and 2010. So what this means specifically is that the US will not accept Russian inspections of our bases under the CFE, and we will also not provide Russia with the annual notifications and military data called for in the treaty.

It is our understanding that a number, if not all, of the US-NATO allies will do the same,” she said.

However, she said, the United States will continue to implement the Treaty and carry out all obligations with all States Parties other than Russia, including not exceeding the numerical limits on conventional armaments and equipment established by the Treaty.

“We will resume full Treaty implementation regarding Russia if Russia resumes implementation of its Treaty obligations,” she said.