Posted on 12/07/2005 5:08:26 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov warned on Wednesday that Russia could reconsider its adherence to a key arms control treaty because of planned U.S. military deployments closer to its borders.
Ivanov also shrugged off U.S. complaints against a deal to sell Russian air defense missiles to Iran, saying that it was in line with international law.
Russia is closely following the planned deployment of U.S. troops to Romania and other former Soviet allies in Eastern Europe, Ivanov said. The government will react after getting detailed information about their strength and mission from Washington, he said.
Ivanov warned that the reconfiguration of the U.S. military in Europe could run at odds with provisions of the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty, which limits the number of troops and weapons on the continent.
"The emergence of new bases raises the question whether Europe needs any mechanism envisaging transparency and restrictions on deployment of conventional weapons," Ivanov said in televised comments.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her Romanian counterpart signed a pact Tuesday establishing the first U.S. military bases in a former Warsaw Pact country, part of the Pentagon's effort to create new, flexible bases in Eastern Europe.
Russia has ratified the amended version of the CFE Treaty, but the United States and other NATO members have refused to do that until Russia abides by its commitment to withdraw troops from Moldova and Georgia. Moscow says the link is irrelevant.
Ivanov warned Russia could reconsider its adherence to the treaty.
"Russia has observed restrictions imposed by the treaty, but if we see that other nations don't pay attention to that, we naturally will have to make certain conclusions," he said.
Ivanov also said Russia would carry out a deal to sell sophisticated Tor-M1 air defense missiles to Iran despite strong U.S. objections.
"This contract is totally legitimate," he said. "Russia hasn't violated any of its international obligations, and Iran now isn't subject to international sanctions."
Earlier this week, U.S. State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said the United States strongly opposed the missile sale and implied that the U.S. administration hoped to head off the deal.
Ivanov said bluntly that Russia would see the deal through.
"This contract will be carried out in line with the international law and Russia's obligations," Ivanov said. "We don't care whether others like it or not."
The Defense Ministry said Moscow would supply 29 Tor-M1 air defense missile systems to Iran under a contract worth about $700 million, Itar-Tass reported.
Other Russian media have reported that Russia also had agreed to modernize Iran's Soviet-built aircraft and provide it with patrol boats and other military gear.
I don't think Russia feels any of this affects anything Iran would still be toast in a real fight same as Sadaam was. What's the use not making money if it ain't a crime?
"Ivanov also shrugged off U.S. complaints against a deal to sell Russian air defense missiles to Iran"
The last guy who shrugged off U. S. complaints was Saddam -and look where he is now: in the dock, complaining about his underwear or hiding out from the witnesses who are testifying against him. Not a good role model.
Yep. They don't like us in their backyard. If Russia backed off from supplying our Iran nukes, we probably would a deal on redeploying bases closer to Russia. When they act like a potential enemy we will treat them like a potential enemy.
We are already in their backyard. Russia is separated from Alaska only by the Berings Straits.
We ain't the enemy Ivan. Stop picking on us and watch out for the guys south of the border.
to Romania and other former Soviet allies in Eastern Europe
I bet the majority of the people living in these eastern europe countries would not use the term "former soviet allies", when describing what the soviets did to them after WW2.
The term "backyard" doesn't sit very well either.
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