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http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2002/09/23/016.html The Moscow Times September 29, 2002 NATO-Russia Council Spars Over Baltic States By John Chalmers -Signed in the dying days of the Cold War, the CFE limits the number of battle tanks, heavy artillery, combat aircraft and attack helicopters deployed and stored between the Atlantic Ocean and the Urals Mountains. The Baltic states have not signed up to the CFE and so are not subject to legal restrictions on forces deployed in their territory -- forces that could theoretically belong to NATO once they become members of the alliance. Reuters BRUSSELS, Belgium -- NATO and Russia sparred Friday over the defense alliance's plans for enlargement, with Moscow insisting that the Baltic states commit to the landmark treaty limiting conventional forces in Europe before joining up. "There was an elaborate presentation of views," said one NATO official after a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, which was set up in May to enhance cooperation between the former foes. "There are some points of principles involved: Russia is free to raise its point, but enlargement is our business," said the official, who asked not to be named. "I think they are raising this with greater energy." President Vladimir Putin has softened Moscow's criticism of NATO plans to expand eastward as part of his broad pro-Western policy. But there are still misgivings in Moscow about NATO taking in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The Baltic states are among seven countries that are expected to be invited to join NATO when the 19 alliance leaders meet in Prague in November. The NATO official said Russia appeared to be trying to stall the enlargement process by raising the question of the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty. Signed in the dying days of the Cold War, the CFE limits the number of battle tanks, heavy artillery, combat aircraft and attack helicopters deployed and stored between the Atlantic Ocean and the Urals Mountains. The Baltic states have not signed up to the CFE and so are not subject to legal restrictions on forces deployed in their territory -- forces that could theoretically belong to NATO once they become members of the alliance. Latvia recently shrugged off fears expressed by a senior Russian military official that it could become a NATO outpost for nuclear weapons or army bases after it joins the alliance. Part of the problem is that new accessions to the CFE can only take place once all signatories have ratified amendments adopted in 1999, and so far, only two countries have done so. Diplomats say Russia may push for the three Baltic states to commit themselves to joining the treaty at the same time as they join NATO, probably in early 2004. The NATO official said that there was "no quarrel" at Friday's council meeting, but the alliance put its view strongly that there should be no linkage between enlargement and CFE. "CFE is CFE and enlargement is enlargement," he said. "They feel strongly about it and we feel strongly about it." The wrangling overshadowed what officials said were more encouraging signs of growing trust and cooperation between the allies and Russia. The two sides agreed Friday on the political aspects of possible joint peacekeeping operations in the future. They are also due to hold a civil emergency exercise in Russia this month to test their response to a terrorist attack on a chemical production facility. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
