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Anti-missile defense still a concern for Russia on eve of START deal
Published: 02 April, 2010, 20:05
Edited: 05 April, 2010, 14:21
TAGS: Arms, Meeting, Nuclear, Russia, USA
As Russia and the US prepare to sign the new START treaty on April 8, Russia plans to put forth a statement detailing conditions under which it could withdraw from the deal.
The statement, intended to serve as an “independent political document,” in the words of Sergey Prikhodko, an aide to Russia’s President, indicates that Russia could withdraw from the treaty in case the US exceeds its anti-missile defense potential. Prikhodko added that a similar request could be anticipated from the US as the leaders of two nations prepare to meet in Prague later this month.
“The Presidents of Russia and the US had originally agreed that the subject of the new treaty would be strategic offensive weapons,” said Prikhodko. “Anti-missile defense is the subject of a separate dialogue taking place between our countries.”
Moscow has pushed to incorporate the link between AMD and offensive weapons ever since the negotiations started. But since the ambiguity with which the issue is described in the new treaty leaves much in obscurity, the document proposed by Kremlin could provide it with a potential backup plan.
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2 comments
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I have to think that the US is concerned that Muslim terrorists might get control of Russian nukes--in a scenario similar to the one we fear in Pakistan but on a much greater scale, obviously. There is certainly no other rational explanation for this obsessive pursuit of missile defense in Poland, etc.. Fear of Iran? No way. It makes no sense logistically. Perhaps it's only about big bucks in military contracts.
Nothing works quite so well as MAD. Mutually Assured Destruction guarantees that as long as you make sure you have enough nukes to wipe him out that he will do the same so you both can never use them. You didn't have to look him in the eye and see he was a man you could trust. He could be replaced overnight anyway so that is just stupid. The danger really comes when the nuclear arsenals are small and any side has a defence system. The defence system doesn't have to work to start a war, the possessor of the missile defence system just has to think it will work to make them think a first strike might destroy most of the other guys weapons so that the defence could stop what is left. When that day comes WWIII is that more likely than it has ever been before and the world will face its greatest danger. All so the US can spend a fortune on a missile defence system against a country that doesn't have missiles or nuclear warheads of any size let alone one small enough to fit in the nose of a missile.
Presidents of Russia and US had originally agreed that the subject of the new treaty would be strategic offensive weapons,” said Prikhodko “Anti-missile defense is the subject of a separate dialogue taking place between our countries.” WHY did the Russian president agree new treaty subject would be strategic offensive weapons only? Russian president-negotiators were well aware of the threat to RF from US Missile Shield?--President Medvedev was OUTSMARTED hands down. Could Russia have corrected so-called "original agreement on subject? No! Obama went on worldwide media and announced the agreement would be on strategic offensive weapons "only.".BIG win for US.-That means nothing else will be in document for those in Russia who don't get it - ITS BIG RUSSIAN LOSS! - US GOT BIG WIN - KEPT US "Trump Card"--US bases, weapons and personnel on RF door step if Medvedev does not vote with US on sanctions against Iran--other such advantages for US in UNSC---Moscow has pushed to incorporate the link between AMD and offensive weapons ever since the negotiations started. REALLY??!--DIDN'T PUSH HARD ENOUGH THIS IS "PAINFULLY" APPARENT! -- But since the ambiguity with which the issue is described in the new treaty leaves much in obscurity, the document proposed by Kremlin could provide it with a potential backup plan.-DREAM ON- US president Obama is NOT going to ACKNOWLEDGE, LET A LONE SIGN ON TO ANY DOCUMENT THAT WOULD "PROTECT RF NUKE DETERRENT-SOVEREIGNTY" GET A GRIP,YOU LOST THE ONLY LEVERAGE RF HAD WITH US. US WANTED NEW START-II MORE THAN RF DID.- IT SERVES US PURPOSES, NOT RF SECURTY.Mr.Prikhodko you and President Medvedev-others on Russian team failed to" tie the two most important subjects together"-Offensives weapons and US Missile Shield. Shame on all who were part of Russian negotiation team; mostly President Medvedev,failing to protect RF security, nuke deterrent,sovereignty..