MOSCOW. Sept 30 (Interfax-AVN) - The State Duma Defense Committee recommends that the lower chamber ratify the protocol on banning or limiting employment of mines and booby-traps, Committee Chairman Viktor Zavarzin told Interfax-Military News Agency on Thursday.
"The committee has discussed the bill on ratifying such protocol. Despite a number of additional limitations, the protocol allows the Russian Armed Forces to retain anti-personnel mines, which are the cheapest and the most efficient defensive arms," Zavarzin said.
At the same time he noted that the bill was being adopted in compliance with the international convention on banning or limiting employment of specific conventional arms, resulting in much damage or collateral damage.
Zavarzin emphasized that the ratification of the protocol would allow Russia to become a full signatory to the international convention, as well as establish a border guard regime both in Russia and certain CIS member-states. In addition to that it will result in developing alternative to anti-personnel mines weapon systems, and deflect criticism against Russia, should it use anti-personnel mines in an armed conflict.
"The protocol ratification and enforcement will not affect national defense and security," he said.