[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 126 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT FOR THE TREATY ON CONVENTIONAL ARMED FORCES IN 
                           EUROPE RESOLUTION

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 1, 2007

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Commission 
on Security and Cooperation in Europe, otherwise known as the Helsinki 
Commission, I rise to introduce a resolution which expresses the 
concern of this body regarding the Russian Federation's suspension of 
implementation of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE).
  Russia's declared suspension of the CFE on last July 14 is troubling 
to the countries that are parties to the treaty because it may lead to 
instability in the security situation in Europe.
  NATO and the former Warsaw Pact countries ratified the CFE in 1990, 
under the auspices of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in 
Europe, predecessor of the current Organization for Security and 
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The CFE has played a major role in 
European security in the post-Cold War era. The treaty set broad limits 
on key categories of conventional military equipment in Europe and 
mandated the destruction of excess weaponry. Under its provisions, over 
60,000 pieces of combat material have been destroyed or removed from 
the arsenals of signatory states, under a rigorous, but mutually 
acceptable, transparency regime. In sum, it established parity, 
transparency, and stability among the conventional military forces and 
equipment in Europe.
  The CFE was amended in 1999 to account for the dissolution of the 
former Soviet Union and the reality that several Warsaw Pact countries 
had become NATO members. However, NATO members have not yet ratified 
the amended treaty because Russia has failed to fulfill related 
commitments to withdraw its troops and weaponry from the territories of 
Moldova and Georgia, where they I are stationed against the wishes of 
those governments.
  Among other reasons, Russia justified its suspension of the CFE on 
the basis that the U.S. plans to construct missile defence facilities 
in Eastern Europe, NATO member states refuse to ratify the 1999 CFE 
``Adaptation Agreement,'' and what Moscow sees as further encroachment 
by NATO toward Russia's border.

  Madam Speaker, this resolution is not intended to discount Russia's 
concerns in the area of national security. However, Russia's actions 
over the past few months, combined with this latest on the CFE, prompts 
the question: How much of Russia's decision to suspend the CFE was 
based on genuine security concerns, and how much of the decision was 
designed to project President Putin and his United Party as ``tough on 
the West'' in the face of upcoming parliamentary and presidential 
elections?
  We believe that Russia's proposed ``moratorium'' on CFE compliance is 
a regrettable step that may needlessly increase tensions in Europe.
  I am introducing this ``sense of the House'' resolution urging the 
Government of the Russian Federation to reconsider its intention to 
suspend CFE implementation and to engage in dialogue with the other CFE 
signatory states to resolve outstanding problems and establish a 
foundation for the eventual implementation of the above-mentioned 
Adaptation Agreement to the CFE Treaty of 1999. In other words, we urge 
Russia to reconsider its decision and behave more responsibly.
  I urge my colleagues to support this timely resolution as a 
demonstration of this body's concern for European security.

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