NATO urges Russia to resolve treaty issue

BRUSSELS, July 30 (KUNA) -- The United States has briefed NATO on its determination that Russia is in violation of its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty not to possess, produce, or flight-test a ground-launched cruise missile with a range capability of 500 to 5,500 kilometers, or to possess or produce launchers of such missiles.
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmuissen in a statement Wednesday noted that the INF Treaty, which entered into force in 1988, was concluded to reduce threats to security and stability in Europe, in particular the threat of short-warning attack on targets of strategic importance. He said the Treaty has a special place in history, as it required the verifiable elimination of an entire class of missiles possessed by the United States and the Soviet Union. It remains a key element of Euro-Atlantic security -- one that benefits our mutual security and must be preserved.
"Russia should work constructively to resolve this critical Treaty issue and preserve the viability of the INF Treaty by returning to full compliance in a verifiable manner. Continuing to uphold the Treaty strengthens the security of all, including Russia," he added. (end) nk.hm