June 5, 1996 No. 104

CANADA WELCOMES SUCCESS OF CFE TREATY REVIEW CONFERENCE AND REMOVAL OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS FROM UKRAINE

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.

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.

"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."

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.

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.

"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.

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