BBC: Missile shield 'threatens Russia'

BBC ^ | Monday, 22 January 2007, 14:47 GMT | BBC Staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Missile shield 'threatens Russia'

The US has had mixed results from its missile tests

US plans to expand its embryonic missile defence shield to the Czech Republic and Poland are an "an obvious threat", Russia military officials say.

Poland has confirmed the US wants to negotiate the use of its territory to build part of its missile defence base.

On Sunday, the US asked permission from the Czech Republic and received the backing of Czech PM Mirek Topolanek.

Washington says it needs interceptor missiles in Europe to stop attacks by states like Iran or North Korea.

It hopes to build a radar station in the Czech Republic and to site interceptors in Poland.

Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski confirmed that Washington has approached Warsaw over the project and said: "We are now waiting for firm proposals."

It is very doubtful that elements of the national US missile defence system in eastern Europe were aimed at Iranian missiles Lt Gen Vladimir Popovkin, Russian space forces

But Moscow insists that the installation of US missiles in countries close to its western border would change the strategic balance in Europe.

Lt Gen Vladimir Popovkin, commander of Russia's space forces, said Moscow would interpret the move as a military threat.

"Our analysis shows that the deployment of a radar station in the Czech Republic and a counter-missile position in Poland are an obvious threat to us.

"It is very doubtful that elements of the national US missile defence system in eastern Europe were aimed at Iranian missiles, as has been stated," he said.

Moscow has warned of "negative consequences" if Prague agrees to host the missile system.

Political issues

Mr Topolanek, the Czech prime minister, has welcomed the US request.

How missile defence works

"We are convinced that a possible deployment of the radar station on our territory is in our interest," he said at the weekend.

"It will increase security of the Czech Republic and Europe."

However, Mr Topolanek could face a struggle having the plans approved by both houses of the country's parliament.

His three-party, centre-right governing coalition recently won a vote of confidence, but controls just 100 of 200 seats in the lower house.

There is domestic opposition to the scheme in the Czech Republic, with reports that 200 protesters rallied against the missile defence plans in Prague on Monday.

The US has already built missile interceptor sites in Alaska and in California, but says it needs to expand into Europe to counter growing threats from further afield.

[stuartcr]

I bet they are aimed at anything we want them to be aimed at.

[snowrip]

And the NeoCommunist drumbeat marches on...

[GSlob]

Czech invasion would be a nice payback for '68.

[rhombus]

Don't you find that locking your door encourages buglers? ;-)

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

The Russian Federation keeps on acting as if the Cold War is still in force.

[EndWelfareToday]

I suppose this missile defense system will hurt the Russian's missile selling business a little eh? Ah what the hey... It couldn't happen to a nicer government.

[ken21]

the russians haven't changed since their byzantine days.

[RKV]

Russia still has ground, air and naval based nukes pointing at the US. Most people seem to think that stopped with the end of the Soviet Union. Reality is that Russian imperialism has been constant across the Czarist, Soviet and now Federal Russian governments. Lately they have lost territory and are unhappy about it. This is just another attempt to make Russia into a pre-eminent Eurasian land power, with China as an ally. Anti-missile systems like the one proposed threaten Russias ability to blackmail its neighbors, and indeed the rest of the world. That's why the Russian government doesn't like this development and we need to make sure the rest of the world understands the real reasons behind Russia's stance.

[Thermalseeker]

The Russian Federation keeps on acting as if the Cold War is still in force.

It is and China just upped the ante.....

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

The PRC was more of an ally back then than it is now, and India was more of an enemy. Russia lost a lot of their union, and is now a developing ("third world") country.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

But Moscow insists that the installation of US missiles defense systems in countries close to its western border would change the strategic balance in Europe.

They need an new editor. Or is the BBC trying to mislead?

[FreedomNeocon]

The Ruskies can go to hell.

Sure its all fine for them to 'alter the balance of power' by taking over national media outlets by the gov't...

Doubling gas prices of its gov't owned oil companies to nations that don't submit to their political/trade/economic demands...

Building Iran's nuclear reactors, stiff-arming sanctions, and even selling anti-aircraft missiles just weeks after pussy sanctions are passed...

Sending hit squads around the world to poison people who are challenging the new oligarchy...

Yet suddenly the US talking to Poland (who was REALLY occupied for a long time by the commies) about putting up some missile defense is some big dangerous incitement.

I know its crude, but to convey my intended bluntness: Blow me Ruskies, what are you going to do about it?

[Thermalseeker]

Russia lost a lot of their union, and is now a developing ("third world") country.

A "developing" country with a nuclear Navy, granted not in the best of shape, but still viable, and some 12,000 warheads on ICBM's still in service. Russia is still continuing to develop their ICBM's, too, and the KGB seems to be alive and well, although the names have been changed to protect the guilty.

With respect to Russia, their tactics haven't really changed much from the Soviet days. Take a look at who calls themselves an enemy of the United States and in almost every case you will see Russia supporting them.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

And here is a nice reminder from history:

To fight or not (Iran)

[Rockiette]

Completely agree with your remarks, Russia is aiming warheads directly at us and is now demanding that we not place a shield outside of their borders? After all the hate and lies being fomented by Putin on the USA, it seems outrageous that we would even consider his objections as valid.
What is the BBC trying to pull with it's agreeing with Russia and demonizing our offer of a shield in Poland or the Czech Republic? Which side of the fence are these Marxists at the Beeb on?

[EQAndyBuzz]

Russia basically regrouped. We like to think of it as Reagan taking down the Soviet Union.

I like to think of it as Communists regrouping because they don't need the terrirtory and in the process the Communists bigs made billions. Plus, with the MSM and the DNC fully integrated into Marxist ideology, there is no longer a need for a military. Who is going to attack them?

[colorado tanker]

We must be making progress. The main liberal attack on missile defense has been that it will never work. Now they've fallen back to insisting we stick with MAD.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I just posted this:

Polls: Bush Leading Nation In Wrong Direction ~ And the British public favored Chamberlain too....

DBM actions seem to be helping others than Americans....

***************************************************

The press is the propaganda arm of the American left and they have an agenda...see this:

Unholy Alliance: Radical Islam and the American Left

[colorado tanker]

Looks like a good book. I guess I would take exception to Horowitz's argument in part. I know a lot of lefties well and most of them take the Muslim side against the U.S. and Israel, for the reasons he describes. But they really don't think their actions will endanger the American people. They sincerely believe if they sing Kum Ba Ya with the muzzies and appease them we'll be safe. They're delusional.

Interesting anecdote on the DBM. A WashPost reporter was being questioned for the Libby juror pool. She (or was it he?) answered she could be objective about Bush (fat chance) but not Cheney, because he allegedly used his office to line his own pockets. Derangement Syndrome had overtaken her senses. And how could a reporter with a prominent paper be ignorant of the fact that KBR became the go-to contractor to build turnkey military bases in primitive locations at least as early as the Clinton administration?