NATO gravely concerned by Russian treaty freeze

Oslo, Apr 27: NATO expressed grave concern at Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to freeze Moscow's commitments under a European arms control pact today.

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed Putin's announcement suspending Russia's implementation of the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) pact to NATO ministers at a meeting in Oslo.

''That message was met by concern, grave concern, disappointment and regret,'' de Hoop Scheffer told a news conference. ''The allies are of the opinion that the CFE is one of the cornerstones of European security,'' he added.

Reuters>