Posted on 04/08/2007 7:55:39 AM PDT by LibWhacker
A senior Russian lawmaker called Saturday for Russia to be included in US plans to build a missile defence system in Europe, warning Moscow will otherwise view the antimissile shield as a threat.
"Russia has every reason to be interested in close cooperation in creating Eurasian missile-defense systems," Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the State Duma, wrote in an opinion piece in the International Herald Tribune.
"And any attempt to build them without Russia (which is not only an interested party but also geographically and technically the most suitable place for an effective antimissile defense) automatically means they are being built against Russia," wrote the lawmaker.
Russia has repeatedly criticised the United States' plans to place missile defence equipment in countries that were once part of Moscow's orbit.
The United States has asked the Czech Republic to host a radar system and Poland to host interceptor rockets as part of its missile defence plans.
Washington insists the anti-missile shield is intended as protection against attacks from "rogue states" such as Iran and points out that the proposed system would be useless against Russia's vast weapons arsenal.
Kosachev argued building an antimissile shield without Russia wouldn't be effective and counterproductive as Moscow would view it as a threat.
"Our colleagues in Europe should understand this basic principle: Any attempt to build a security system without Russia (still less against it) by definition cannot be comprehensive or effective," he wrote.
"Instead of security for Europe's people we will have a new division and new targets on our densely populated Continent," Kosachev noted, echoing warnings by other Russian officials that Moscow would be forced to target the anti-missile shield.
On Friday, the lower house of the Russian parliament warned that the antimissile shield risks triggering a new international arms race.
"Such decisions, which are useless in terms of preventing potential or imaginary threats from countries of the Middle and Far East, are already bringing about a new split in Europe and unleashing another arms race," read the declaration, which was approved unanimously by deputies in the State Duma.
I beleve Ronald Reagen proposed just that when “star wars” first came out....
I remember Reagan’s offering participation in SDI to the Soviets.
I like this line...
I don’t think so! They would just sell or give it to their friends who will turn it aginst US!
We could give the Russians some different tech. BUR NOT this!
Working with the Russians will require making enormous concessions and dealing with ever-expanding demands. They are not viewed as reliable partners. Their fault, not ours, sorry.
You R correct sirs. I dont trust Pootia any further than I could have throw Yelstin’s fat @$$ but this idea shouldnt be dismissed outright off the bat. The old keep your enemies closer rule may apply here. THe Gipper & Gorby publicy said together “trust but verify”
Say, why not include Russia? It may help bring Russia closer to the West, and we may be able to get some helpful concessions in the bargain.
It's worth exploring the option.
After watching the barbarity of these ragheads over the last decade, Russia is a civilized pussycat by comparison.
Pres Reagan offered the Star Wars tech to Russia.
Has anyone heard of the successful anti-missle test that was conducted from the MSM?
The Russians have demonstrated their untrustworthyness when they arm our enemies. Allies don’t do that (except for France). They cannot be trusted (either one).
The Russians are interested in only 2 things here...
1) Steal advanced US missile technology
2) Making sure we foot the bill for their theft.
I think they are completely untrustworthy. They’ll delay it for as long as possible (as they did the space station), weaken it where they can, then help our enemies in the Middle East and Asia build missiles that’ll defeat it.
“I have no objection to Russia’s involvement”
Russia has acted like a petulant little child when it comes to acting responsibly on the international scene. Just look to their obstructionist behavior in relations to Iran’s nuclear program.
I trust the Chinese more than the Russians. There about 2 steps away from the US supporting the Chechnyans - if they keep acting the enemy they will eventually become the enemy.
I wouldn’t mind it in theory, but you know they’d sell the technology to China and Iran the first chance they could.
“After watching the barbarity of these ragheads over the last decade, Russia is a civilized pussycat by comparison.”
So true. We knew where we stood with each other back in the old days. Also, regardless of our differences and suspicions one thing you can say for the Rooskies is that they are NOT living to die for allah.
Russia is acting in her own interest. That's the way the world works. However, Russia for the most part lives up to her agreements in the strategic arena.
Yes I’m glad they’re finally taking President Reagan up on the offer. Took them long enough.
Alternatively, we could give the Russian's "missile defense" without giving them the technology. For example, we could place antimissile bases on Russian territory maned by US troops. Make them defensible and equipped with failsafe self destruct capabilities if an attempt is made to overrun them. See if the Russians will accept US troops in exchange for protection. If they do not, then their real motivation, acquisition of technology, is revealed.
1) Steal advanced US missile technology
2) Making sure we foot the bill for their theft.
Correct, and it has been since the forties. Since the Clinton administration with the lack of security at our national nuclear labs and the giving away of missile technology through Bernard Swartz and the Loral Corporation (for a hefty campaign contribution) and China is also in the thick of our technology theft.
Prior to WWII we armed Europe and Russia and have been footing the bill for our enemies ever since. I believe it was Krushev who said they would bury us and we would sell them the means to so it. He was wrong only in that we are giving it to them with perhaps the exception of some under the table deals ala Clinton.
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