Among them is the system for checking that the Treaty is being honored. Everyone agrees that it worked well and should be continued. The problem is how to maintain the same degree of assurance and confidence in a much more complicated treaty. Govan says the attitude of some countries is also a problem. There are other countries which don't have this outlook.
Some Governments believe there was more freedom to operate under the old system.
If it was considered necessary to transfer 200 tanks from one country to another within the bloc it was just done. But with the new system of national and territorial ceilings it is not so easy. Govan did not identify any countries but in answer to a question he acknowledged that some NATO countries are among those which retain a nostalgia for the ease of decision-making under the old system. Originally the new CFE Treaty was expected to be ready by the summer of next year. Few diplomats now believe this timetable is realistic.