CFE Treaty: Building European Security. Strategic Forum. Number 48, October 1995

摘要

The November 17th final implementation date for the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty is in jeopardy due to Russian insistence that they cannot abide by the limitations imposed on their forces in the treaty's 'flank zone'. Domestic political factors in the West and in Russia, rather than purely foreign policy or military considerations, complicate finding a solution. Russian 'flank zone' fixes, increasing the number of tanks, armored combat vehicles (ACV's) and artillery pieces allowed in the Caucasus, could be interpreted as significant thus allowing hardliners on both sides to insist on resubmitting the treaty to national legislatures for ratification. A proposed Western compromise permits more Russian equipment in the zone than originally allowed, but less than is there now. The objective is to find an interim solution until next Spring when a scheduled treaty review will allow a review of 'flank zone' requirements and limitations in the context of the treaty as a whole.