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<title>CANADA WELCOMES SUCCESS OF CFE TREATY REVIEW CONFERENCE AND REMOVAL OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS FROM UKRAINE</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">June 5, 1996 No. 104</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA WELCOMES SUCCESS OF CFE TREATY REVIEW
CONFERENCE AND REMOVAL OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS FROM
UKRAINE</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today expressed Canada's support for two
important milestones towards arms control and international stability: the
successful conclusion of the first Review Conference of the Treaty on Conventional
Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), and the Ukrainian announcement that the last former
Soviet nuclear weapon has left Ukraine.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The CFE Treaty, to which Canada is a party, has made a major contribution to
European stability since its inception in 1992 -- over 50 000 pieces of major
military equipment have been eliminated under its provisions. The Review
Conference, held in Vienna from May 15 to 31, resolved a difficult question of
limits on military equipment within the northern and southern flanks of the CFE
region.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada is satisfied with the results of the First CFE Treaty Review Conference,"
Mr. Axworthy said. "The final document was the result of arduous negotiation and
difficult compromise, and represents the best that could have been achieved. The
success of the Conference ensures that the CFE Treaty will remain a permanent
foundation of European security and stability in changing times and opens the way
for its further evolution."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Under the terms agreed at the Conference, the Russian Federation and Ukraine will
be permitted to station more military equipment in the flank region than under the
original CFE Treaty. However, this will eventually lead to even lower levels of
Russian forces than are currently permitted. In addition, the Conference agreed
to begin negotiations on further enhancements and adaptations to the existing
Treaty in light of changes in the European situation.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This historic success in conventional arms control is matched by Ukrainian
President Leonid Kuchma's announcement that the last former Soviet nuclear weapon
has left Ukraine. In the early 1990s, there were more nuclear warheads in
Ukrainian territory than in any country other than the United States and Russia.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canadians recognize and appreciate the determination with which Ukraine has moved
to rid itself of nuclear weapons, and we rejoice with Ukrainians that the last of
these weapons has now left their country," Mr. Axworthy said. The Minister added
that, like Canada, Ukraine has decided not to possess its own nuclear weapons and
welcomed this decision.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Catherine Lappe</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Director of Communications</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
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