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US Secretary of Defense James Mattis speaks on the second day of the 14th Manama Dialogue, Security Summit, Manama, Bahrain, October 27, 2018. REUTERS / Hamad l Mohammed
MANAMA (Reuters) – US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said on Saturday that the United States is in close contact with its allies in Europe about the INF Treaty and its implications for the region.
"We are working closely with our European allies (…) and we will continue to work very closely with the Treaty and its implications for European security," said Mattis in a speech in Bahrain.
"Finally, we have to look reality in the eye, it does not mean we are moving away from gun control. But gun control must be more than words on paper, it must be action, "added Mattis.
US President Donald Trump said on Oct. 20 that Washington was considering giving up the Mid-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty signed in 1987 by Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, and Ronald Reagan.
The pact eliminated all nuclear and conventional land-based and intermediate-range missiles held by both countries in Europe.
Washington has invoked the alleged violation of the treaty by Russia to justify its abandonment, a charge denied by Moscow. Russia in turn accuses Washington of breaking the pact.
Gorbachev denounced the US decision to quit the INF, which ended the Cold War by announcing a new arms race increasing the risk of nuclear conflict.
Report by Idrees Ali; Edited by Michael Perry
