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Posted on 08/21/2007 11:08:26 AM PDT by kik5150
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's military chief told the Czech Republic it would be making a "big mistake" to host a U.S. missile defense shield on its soil and urged Prague on Tuesday to delay a decision until a new U.S. president is elected. The Czech Republic is discussing hosting a radar station which would form part of the U.S. missile shield -- a system designed to intercept and destroy missiles from "rogues states" but which Moscow sees as a threat to its security.
"We say it will be a big mistake by the Czech government to put this radar site on Czech territory," said Yuri Baluyevsky, the Russian military chief of staff, after meeting the Czech deputy defense minister, Martin Bartak.
He said the Czech Republic should hold off making a decision until after the U.S. presidential election, scheduled to take place in late 2008. Incumbent George W. Bush will not be running.
"A decision will be made by the Czech side only after the evaluation of all conditions, technical and otherwise," said Baluyevsky.
"I and my Russian colleagues simply ask that that process continue through to October-November of 2008, and I think you can all guess why."
Asked by a reporter to clarify, he said: "I do not exclude that a new administration in the United States will re-evaluate the current administration's decisions on missile defense."
The missile shield is the latest in a series of moves by Moscow's former Warsaw Pact allies to embrace NATO, effectively moving the West's military capabilities closer to Russia.
Baluyevsky said the Czech move was a political rather than a military decision.
"In my opinion it is a great disappointment that today's discussion sees no change in the last four months by the Czech government. You have taken a decision to continue construction of a radar site on Czech territory," he said.
"There are unfounded allegations that Russia is attempting to disrupt the peace and tranquility of Western Europe."
Bartak stressed that his government had not yet made a decision. "The most important thing I can say is that we have not yet said the final word on this and we will not until we have explored all avenues," he said.
Baluyevsky made his comments on the 39th anniversary of the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia to crush the "Prague Spring," when Soviet tanks ended an attempt by the government of the day to promote liberal reforms.
Exactly. The enemies of the United States have always counted on the Democrats. Reliably so too.
Exactly. But an important point to highlight is that is what we will have when we don’t show a united front to the world. Rather than acting with integrity, and either supporting the president or staying slient if you don’t support him, the democrats have gone further to even demonize him on the world stage. This undermines not only the president, but the whole country. Pelosi, Reid - SHUT UP!
Note to Russia, “This ain’t 1968!”
Subtle stuff, Russkies.
The only “mistake” is that they aimed the radar at Russia.
Have the Russians ever considered that all their blustering simply confirms the need on the part of the Czechs to have a missile defense shield?
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Have the Russians also considered what a provocation to us their supply of weapons to Iran, Syria, and Venezuela are?
another ping
As an aside, only fools think Checkers is easy. They should try playing somebody like my Dad.
just update the firmware so it takes out everyones missiles...
In 1991, I was in the Gulf in the MarDet on CV-61. A Russian destroyer from the Black Sea Fleet was working with us; the Gen Vinogrdov, IIRC. Leaning over the railing watching it sail next to us one day, I made the comment that it was hard to believe the Russians were our friends.
A crusty Gunny was next to me and I can still remember his prophetic words, to this day. Without looking at me he said, “Son, make no mistakes about it, the Russians are not and will never be our friends.”
Didn’t the ChiComs just warn a bunch of folks about making decisions now when a new administration may be enroute and more malleable to Commie manipulation. This is the second article I’ve read today with this...
well, as long as putin provides the rogue states weaponry,
i guess russia will not be targeted by them.
I’m sure they’ve considered it. It is in their interests to keep tensions high. It keeps the oil traders jumpy.
“You can’t trust the Russians”. - Jeanne Kirkpatrick
My compliments to a man off the Ranger. Your gunny was very precient. I often get the feeling we were set-up.
Out of curiosity, why do people now refer to carriers as "CV's" now instead of CVA's (or CVAN in the case of old Showboat)?
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