Democrats in the Senate of the Congress has demanded from US authorities to stop the withdrawal from the Treaty on open skies, since the process was started illegally. On Monday a letter was sent to Secretary of state Mike Pompeo and the Pentagon Mark Esper.
the Authors of the Epistles were Robert Menendez, Chuck Schumer, Jack reed and mark Warner, writes TASS. The senators insist that the government’s decision violates the law: the provisions of the military budget in fiscal year 2020 be obliged to notify Congress 120 days before the start of the exit process. However, the legislature was not made aware of this.
in addition, the Democrats think is suspicious is the fact that this decision was made shortly before the presidential elections scheduled for November. “Getting out of the contract without regard to domestic legislation or constitutional practice – a clear political maneuver, intended to tie any future administration”, – stated in the letter.
Recall that on 21 may, the President of the United States Donald trump announced the US withdrawal from the Treaty on open skies. “I think we have very good relations with Russia. But Russia has not adhered to the Treaty. So until they begin to stick to it, we get out of the contract”, – said the American leader. Moscow rejects the allegations, stressing that it remains committed to the Treaty, and puts forward counter-accusations.
the Multilateral Treaty on open skies was signed on 24 March 1992 in Helsinki. According to this document, States parties have the right to conduct overflights of any of the other’s territory to monitor military activities.
