Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007 | 4:10 a.m.
The main elements of the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty, which Russia wants to quit:
- INITIALLY SIGNED: Nov. 19, 1990, between NATO and Warsaw Pact nations in an area between Atlantic Ocean and Ural Mountains.
- LIMITED: each bloc to 6,800 combat aircraft, 2,000 attack helicopters, 20,000 tanks, 30,000 armored personnel carriers, and 20,000 artillery guns; eliminated Warsaw Pact's overwhelming numerical superiority in Central Europe.
- RESTRICTED: basing of military forces near the dividing line to reduce chance of surprise attack; also allowed for inspectors to monitor military maneuvers and verify weaponry destruction.
- AMENDED: Nov. 19, 1999, after collapse of Warsaw Pact, to abolish bloc force limits and replaced by a complex system of ceilings for individual nations and regions.
- SIGNED BY: 30 European, Central Asian and North American countries, including Russia, Britain and the United States. Only Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Russia have ratified it, however.
- DISAGREEMENTS: NATO signatories complain Russia has not withdrawn forces from breakaway regions in Moldova and Georgia. Russia says the troops are peacekeepers and are unrelated to the treaty's ratification.
- FUTURE: President Vladimir Putin said Russia would suspend its obligations under the treaty starting Dec. 12 and would consider returning to the treaty only after NATO members ratify the amended version.
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