Russia Fumes At US Missile Defense Plan

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) -- Russia has serious concerns about U.S. plans to deploy missile interceptors in Romania, the Foreign Ministry said Friday.

The statement from ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko reflected Moscow's irritation about the U.S. missile defense plans and signaled tensions in relations with Washington.

Nesterenko said that Russia has been annoyed to learn about the move from the media.

"We are worried that we find out about important decisions regarding the U.S. missile defense in Europe from the media rather than our official counterparts in Washington or Bucharest," Nesterenko told a briefing.

Nesterenko wouldn't comment on whether the dispute could affect talks with the United States on a key nuclear arms reduction treaty that expired in December.

But other Russian officials, including the nation's top military officer, recently said the U.S. missile defense plans threaten Russia and have slowed down negotiations on a successor deal to the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_RUSSIA_US_MISSILE_DEFENSE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-02-26-09-44-22

[Arctic Dave]

1. So much for slowing down the shipment of missiles to Iran.

They will probably throw in a few extra gadgets just to piss off the US.

[bossy22]

2. how dare we try to reduce russia's ability to destroy us or our allies

I've never heard a more silly response in my life. Russia needs to face facts, its not the USSR anymore, it doesnt have the same clout. And if we want to reduce its military threat to us...well then we will. No country has a RIGHT to have the ability to destory another country. You can have privalege and the general capability; but you do not have a right to it.

[Rapier09]

3. Whereas the US still has the same clout as it had in the 90s

Israel wants Russia to intervene against Iran,the US wants to use the Iranian threat real or imagined to increase its influence in Eastern Europe.

While Mexico implodes from within,while Japan increasingly demands Americans troops out while China is no longer willing to pay for American debt.


All it takes by the way for these missile "shields" to go up in flame is for the President of Romania or whatever to decide that he likes Russia better then America a la Ukraine.

[New Dawn]

5. So-called "missile defense" is designed for offensive purposes.

It is meant to eliminate another country's deterrent, allowing those with "missile defense" to launch a first-strike nuclear assault without fearing consequences. Of course, it is not technologically feasible, so it won't even work. The main point behind US "missile defense" is Washington's drive to further occupy Eastern Europe. However, the US is sinking in debt and needs to close down its overseas empire and bring all the troops home, including those in Europe.

[hollowdweller]

4. They should dump the whole missle shield program

It's a total waste of money. Reagan actually had the right idea when he proposed it and said we'd share the technology with the Soviets but failing that it's nothing but an impediment to peace.

We can't afford this stupid stuff anymore. We have a huge nuclear arsenal that should be enough of a deterrant to anyone attacking us. Waste of money.