Disarmament Diplomacy

Issue No. 10, November 1996

Russia General warns on NATO nuclear expansion option

On 24 October, Russia's Representative at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, General Leontiy Chevtsov, told the Interfax news agency that any Russia-NATO political accord concerning the enlargement of the Alliance would have to rule out the deployment in new NATO States of nuclear weapons capable of striking Russia. Describing such deployment as "completely unacceptable," Chevtsov stated:

"The presence of tactical nuclear weapons in the potential new NATO countries would bring about appropriate action on our part."

What this 'appropriate' action might be was not mentioned in reports of Chevtsov's remarks. However, US Defense Secretary Perry has recently (see last issue) been expressing concern about the number of tactical nuclear weapons still possessed, though not currently deployed, by Russia.

Report: NATO makes fresh attempt to break deadlock with Russia, Agence France-Presse International News, 24 October.

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