Russia suspends participation in CFE pact

MOSCOW, July 14 (Reuters) Russia suspended its participation in a key pact limiting conventional forces in Europe under a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said in a statement today.

The decree suspended Russia's role in the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) pact, which limits the number of heavy weapons deployed between the Atlantic Ocean and the Urals mountains.

Russia had threatened to withdraw from the pact, accusing the West of failing to ratify its amended version signed in 1999 to take into account new post-Cold War situation.

REUTERS GT KP1400