Russian MP Opposes Ratification Of Start-2 Treaty
Date: 7 January 1997

MOSCOW, Jan 7 (Interfax) - Chairman of the Russian Duma's Security Committee *Viktor Ilyukhin* told Interfax Tuesday that in the current setting the State Duma should not ratify the START-2 treaty.

As reported earlier, President Boris Yeltsin stated recently that if NATO implemented its eastward enlargement plan, Russia would take "adequate" measures. "Russia has no adequate measures at its disposal," said Ilyukhin. Russia has "been confronted with something it has been preparing for itself for a long time," he said. "Figuratively speaking," said Ilyukhin, "Russia simply has to adjust to new circumstances and put up with NATO's movement toward its borders," he said.

Speaking about other international problems, Ilyukhin said that Washington's sharp reaction to the export of Russian missiles to Cyprus was a manifestation of a "long-lasting competition between the former Soviet Union and the United States for a place in the world arms market, and is absolutely unfounded."

"Supplies of Russian missiles to Cyprus will in no way inflict any serious damage on peace or cause tension, including political tension," he said. Greece and Cyprus, he added, have the right to have weapons which Turkey has, for instance.

There was a parity between the former Soviet Union and the United States, he went on to say. The USSR even was the main arms seller on the world market. But the situation has changed lately, he said. "We were made to believe that the arms trade is immoral," said Ilyukhin. "Experiencing pricks of conscience, we cut down arms exports, which led to a loss of profits and of Russia's influence on the world situation.

"The United States must understand that Russia can no longer tolerate this diktat and will try to regain its international influence," said Ilyukhin.