http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/12/08/013.html

Thursday, December 8, 2005. Issue 3312. Page 3.

Ivanov Bristles at American Deployment

By Vladimir Isachenkov
The Associated Press

Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov warned on Wednesday that Russia could
reconsider its adherence to a key arms control treaty because of planned
U.S. military deployments closer to its borders.

Ivanov also shrugged off U.S. complaints against a deal to sell Russian
air defense missiles to Iran, saying that it was in line with
international law.

Russia is closely following the planned deployment of U.S. troops to
Romania and other former Soviet allies in Eastern Europe, Ivanov said.
The government will react after getting detailed information about their
strength and mission from Washington, he said.

Ivanov warned that the reconfiguration of the U.S. military in Europe
could run at odds with provisions of the Conventional Forces in Europe
Treaty, which limits the number of troops and weapons on the continent.

"The emergence of new bases raises the question whether Europe needs any
mechanism envisaging transparency and restrictions on deployment of
conventional weapons," Ivanov said in televised comments.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her Romanian counterpart
signed a pact Tuesday establishing the first U.S. military bases in a
former Warsaw Pact country, part of the Pentagon's effort to create new,
flexible bases in Eastern Europe.

Russia has ratified the amended version of the CFE Treaty, but the
United States and other NATO members have refused to do that until
Russia abides by its commitment to withdraw troops from Moldova and
Georgia. Moscow says the link is irrelevant.

Ivanov warned Russia could reconsider its adherence to the treaty.

"Russia has observed restrictions imposed by the treaty, but if we see
that other nations don't pay attention to that, we naturally will have
to make certain conclusions," he said.

Ivanov also said Russia would carry out a deal to sell sophisticated
Tor-M1 air defense missiles to Iran despite strong U.S. objections.

"This contract is totally legitimate," he said. "Russia hasn't violated
any of its international obligations, and Iran now isn't subject to
international sanctions."

Earlier this week, U.S. State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said the
United States strongly opposed the missile sale and implied that the
U.S. administration hoped to head off the deal.

Ivanov said bluntly that Russia would see the deal through.

"This contract will be carried out in line with the international law
and Russia's obligations," Ivanov said. "We don't care whether others
like it or not."

The Defense Ministry said Moscow would supply 29 Tor-M1 air defense
missile systems to Iran under a contract worth about $700 million,
Itar-Tass reported.

Other Russian media have reported that Russia also had agreed to
modernize Iran's Soviet-built aircraft and provide it with patrol boats
and other military gear.