The reduction liabilities for some treaty states were significant, taxing facilities, manpower, and funds.

THE REDUCTION PROCESS

Reduction of TLE under the CFE Treaty was a multinational effort. The process began with each nation working within its group of states to determine its reduction liability. Based on its reduction liability, a state determined the number of reduction sites required to reduce its TLE. The treaty did not limit the number of reduction sites a state could designate, but it did restrict the number of sites engaged in reductions at any given time to 20. This number proved to be far in excess of what any nation actually organized. Poland required only four sites during the first reduction year to begin reducing its sizable liability of nearly 1,200 tanks, 715 pieces of artillery, 300 ACVs, and 41 aircraft. By the end of the first year, Poland had reduced its 41 aircraft and closed its aircraft reduction site. Polish planners evaluated their progress and elected to close a second site because the two remaining sites would be sufficient for their needs.⁷

Reducing massive amounts of equipment, such as tanks and APCs, within treaty timelines required scheduling. The treaty mandated that states complete at least 25 percent of their reductions during the first reduction year, followed by 35 and 40 percent of the total in the final two years. In addition, the treaty required states to reduce equipment in blocks of time of not less than 30 and not more than 90 days, known as calendar reporting periods. Moreover, the capacity of reduction sites, in terms of space and work flow and the movement of equipment to and from the sites, dictated that the work be spread out over time. Cost, a major consideration for the Eastern states, slowed work flow because of the expense of labor and materials.

Once the reducing state had planned reductions for a specific calendar reporting period, it opened the process to the other signatory nations through an official notification. The treaty obligated the reducing state to provide at least 15 days' advance notice of reductions. The state announced the reduction site, the quantities and types of equipment, the OOVs that were releasing the equipment, the method of reduction, and the dates of the reporting period. The notification also indicated the final date and time inspection teams could arrive at a specific point of entry (POE) to view the equipment before the reduction began. In addition to giving notice of the reduction, the reducing state had to display the equipment for inspectors. The requirements for display varied: A fuselage satisfied the requirement for an aircraft, whereas a proper tank display included the hull, turret, and integral main armament. In all cases, the displayed TLE had to be available for inspection before reduction, and they had to be complete assemblies, a requirement that would become an issue during U.S. inspections. The reducing state also established a register to document serial numbers and to record the start and completion dates of reduction for each piece of equipment.

Above and left: Magnetic force releases steel ball from gantry onto TLE in chamber.

Below: Crushed relics, the results of smashing by the eight-ton ball.