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Putin: I'll Aim Rockets at the Missile Shield
By Charlie
No question about it, after the carrier over-flight with a nuke-capable bomber, followed up by this, the Russians are rattling the saber:
MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin on Thursday repeated his threat to aim Russian rockets at former Soviet satellite states if U.S. missile defense facilities are deployed there.Speaking about U.S. plans for interceptors in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic , Putin said, "Our experts consider that this system threatens our national security, and if it appears, we will be obligated to adequately react to this."
"We are warning people ahead of time: if you take this step, then we will make this step," Putin said at his annual news conference in the Kremlin.
Putin also said Russian missiles could be aimed at Ukraine - a former Soviet republic whose pro-Western leadership is pursuing NATO membership - if it were to be host to a missile-defense facility. Putin had issued the same warning in a meeting with the Ukrainian president, Viktor Yushchenko, this week.
This seems like a big deal to me, as a threat of an offensive missile attack based on a host country’s cooperation in a defensive network may undercut public support for the program. Although, this is different from the deployment of missiles to Europe in the 1980’s –this is just a DEFENSE system. While this threat may damage diplomatic efforts, it strains credulity that people would protest a defense system with the same gusto that the Minuteman [nope, Pershing IIs and GLCMs -see update] missiles generated for Reagan –then again, this is Europe . “We demand the right to not be protected” may again be a rallying cry. It will be interesting to see how this deal progresses.
At least the article ended on a humorous note:
[Putin] suggested that the United States and the leaders of Poland and the Czech Republic were going ahead with plans for the missile defense system without asking for public approval, which he called undemocratic.Ah yes, that age-old Russian commitment to democracy and freedom. I hope Putin’s anointed successor continues this proud Russian tradition after the next election.
UPDATE: My bad, GLCM and Pershing IIs, not Minuteman missiles. Thanks, Steve.
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Comments
Bring back the Cold War!
I can live with enslavement of 290 million Russians to ensure America gets a big Navy......and job security. :-)
I wonder if we had it better when the Russians were distracted with poverty and Chechnyans. Nowadays we have to puzzle out whether the recent string of vaguely belligerent moves are honestly meant, or just for internal consumption to make the public feel good about Momma Russia.
Putin's comment wins this week's prize for most boldly ironic statement. (Previous winners include Mugabe and Chirac.)
And we are surprised by this? Why?
I would be more surprised if Putin didn't do or say these things.
If you defend yourselves, we'll attack.
Hard to tell if it's Putin or OBL speaking.
I read that on 1 May Russia will hold an old-school, big-Daddy, military-style parade, just like the old, old days. We'll have to check the order of leaders observing the parade for who's standing closest to Putin, as a clue to future Russian politics.
If you query Interfax, their Admirals have been talking manly on everything from global naval presence to military production.
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"... it strains credulity that people would protest a defense system with the same gusto that the Minuteman missiles generated for Reagan"
Ummm ... shouldn't that be Pershing II and GLCM vice Minuteman?