Russia breaking the INF disarmament Treaty? About the attitude, and the consequences of the USA DW correspondent Zhanna Nemzowa with Andrea L. Thompson, who is responsible for arms control in the US language-Ministry of foreign Affairs.
Deutsche Welle: Ms. Thompson, foreign Minister Mike Pompeo said in December that the U.S. would prohibit from the INF Treaty, Russia and the U.S. the possession of nuclear weapons, medium-range, pull back, if Russia doesn’t comply with it within 60 days. The time limit is up to 2. February set, it expires soon. What is the probability that the United States withdraw from the contract back?
Andrea L. Thompson: you know, perhaps, that we have met in Geneva last week, our Russian colleague, Deputy foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, in order to discuss this. Unfortunately, we have not come further. Russia responds with the continuing violation of the Treaty. If Russia him not to 2. February satisfied, then we want to suspend our obligations under the contract. I was only last week, when NATO and informed the North Atlantic Council. We get strong support from the Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, and our NATO partners.
INF Treaty: “For six months, the clock is ticking”
You are not talking about a “withdrawal” from the Treaty but of a “Expose” of the Treaty. What is the difference?
We will expose him, and then a six-month clock is ticking. In this time, Russia can still return to fulfill the contract. But we are released from our obligations. We put on our commitments, with the intention of us to retreat from them. But we have kept the whole time of the contract. By exposing our obligations, we may conduct research on the development of similar systems, which Russia has now sent in full to the field.
What’s with all the missiles that Russia has, allegedly, and the contract is not with the INF-compliant?
The U.S. military used for the trade name SSC-8. The Russians know which System is meant. We have met with you and you with secret service presented information about why this System is in compliance with the contract. We have shown you the data of the Tests, the location where you performed the Tests. (Russia has insisted that the controversial cruise missile can fly from the type SSC-8c, only 480 miles, and thus not under the INF Treaty limit of 500 km fall – op. d. Red.)
Zhanna Nemzowa (R) in conversation with Andrea L. Thompson
But Russia does not claim that the United States comply with the Treaty. As an example of the USA in Romania-stationed missile defense system with a special launching device will always be called again. These allegations are true?
If you do not agree. Russia is the only country that poses this question. Other parties, our NATO partners and allies say that the United States comply with the INF Treaty. We provide you with more facts and information about why these systems are in compliance with the contract.
Can check the Russians, whether these launchers with the INF Treaty are compliant, or you are not allowed to enter this base in Romania?
According to the Treaty, the other States ‘ systems cannot be easily controlled as desired. But we have intelligence findings and evidence-based data delivered, as well as our partners. However, they held fast to their rhetoric and Propaganda. This is ridiculous. The world sees the Scam. We will continue to drag you to the responsibility.
“The Russians have set the race in motion”
They rely increasingly on verifiable results. The INF Treaty provides for a “special verification Commission”. It’s still there?
It’s still there. We have kept in mind that we have fulfilled our obligations under the contract. We have convened meetings and our technical experts as planned and as desired are taken. It is not so that the door is, the door is open, but Russia continues to violate the contract. This is not a research and development system. This is not a lab. This is not a test site. The use of battalions. They are in use today, with soldiers staffed and equipped in order to use these systems. You can meet Europe and our partners.
You can expect a new arms race with Russia?
Russia has set up battalions with these systems. Thus, there is now a race. The Russians are clearly in breach of the contract and have set the so-called race.
The interview was conducted by Zhanna Nemzowa.
Andrea L. Thompson since April of 2018, head of the Department for arms control and international security at the U.S. state Department. Prior to that, she was Deputy assistant to President Donald Trump, National security adviser to Vice-President Mike Pence and Executive Director of the McChrystal Group, a Leadership Institute. For more than 20 years the specialist for military intelligence services as a member of the US army areas in numerous missions in combat throughout the world.