Moldova moves to suspend 1990 conventional arms control treaty

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Moldova's government on Wednesday approved a decision to suspend the post-Cold War Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, or CFE.

Speaking at a government meeting in the capital Chisinau, Secretary of State in the field of Defense Policy Valeriu Mija said the decision to approve the 1990 arms control deal's suspension came due to "fundamental change" in the situation in Europe.

"Taking into account the fundamental change in circumstances that occurred compared to those that existed at the time of the conclusion of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, signed in Paris on Nov. 19, 1990, Moldova suspends the treaty with the possibility of returning to its implementation later," Mija said after the government meeting.

He pointed out that 21 countries have so far decided to suspend the treaty since it was signed.

The government decision will be submitted to parliament and then to President Maya Sandu. If it is approved, the government will notify the other signatories of the treaty.

The decision will come into effect 150 days after this official notification.

The CFE treaty was signed by representatives of 16 NATO members and six Warsaw Pact Organization members.

It sets a cap on five types of arms and military equipment — battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, artillery, strike aircraft, and attack helicopters.