Russia moves to scrap arms pact

Russia’s lower house in parliament (the Duma) voted on 7 November 2007 to suspend Moscow’s participation in the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty, a key arms control treaty, deepening its confrontation with the West over a range of ­crucial security issues.

The Treaty has capped non-nuclear arms such as helicopters and tanks in Europe since its adoption in 1990. The law, if approved by Russia’s upper house and Vladimir Putin, the president, will take effect on 12 December 2007.

Wikipedia: Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_on_Conventional_Armed_Forces_in_Europe

NATO: NATO-Russia relations http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_51105.htm

BBC News, 7.11.07: Russia suspends arms treaty http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7082501.stm

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