Russia to ratify Pelindaba Treaty protocols with reservations

MOSCOW, March 11 (Itar-Tass) -- The Russian State Duma will vote on
Friday to ratify two protocols to the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone
Treaty, also known as the Pelindaba Treaty, with reservations that exclude
Diego Garcia Island until it hosts a U.S. military base.
The Treaty prohibits the research, development, manufacture,
stockpiling, acquisition, testing, possession, control or stationing of
nuclear explosive devices in Africa and surrounding islands, as well as
dumping of radioactive waste in the African zone.
Protocol I to the Treaty stipulates that each ratifying party shall
not use nuclear explosive devices and shall not threaten their use against
any other party to the treaty.
However Russia introduced a reservation that excludes territories
hosting military bases of nuclear powers. It said the islands of the
Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean do not suit the requirements of the
Treaty until Diego Garcia Island host a U.S. military base.
The second reservation frees Russia of obligations under Protocol I in
case of attack on its territory or armed forces, as well as on its allies
and other states with which it has security commitments.
Protocol II to the Treaty stipulates that parties shall not test,
support and encourage tests of any nuclear explosives and shall not
provide assistance to any act that violates the African Nuclear Weapons
Free Zone Treaty that came into force 2009.
The State Duma committee on international affairs said the
ratification "will promote the nuclear non-proliferation regime and fully
meets the Russian interests."