8 July 2008
Are They Serious?
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: World Affairs .
Russia threatens military response to US missile defence deal
Russia tonight threatened to retaliate by military means after a deal with the Czech Republic brought the US missile defence system in Europe a step closer.
The threat followed quickly on from the announcement that Condoleezza Rice signed a formal agreement with the Czech Republic to host the radar for the controversial project.
Moscow argues that the missile shield would severely undermine the balance of European security and regards the proposed missile shield based in two former Communist countries as a hostile move.
“We will be forced to react not with diplomatic, but with military-technical methods,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry did not detail what its response might entail.
Ms Rice, the US Secretary of State, hailed the agreement as a step forward for international security.
After 14 months of negotiations, the US is struggling to clinch agreement with its other proposed partner – Poland – where it hopes to locate the interceptor missiles designed to shoot down any incoming rockets.
Washington insists that the system will not be targeted at Russia, but will act as a safeguard for Europe against regimes such as Iran. The plan was endorsed by Nato in April.
“This missile defence agreement is significant as a building block not just for the security of the United States and the Czech Republic, but also for the security of Nato and the security of the international community as a whole,” Ms Rice said. “Ballistic missile proliferation is not an imaginary threat.”
A change of government in Poland last November saw the country introduce a range of demands including US investment in its air defences in return for siting the missiles.
Poland’s tough negotiating position has even led to a threat from the Pentagon to find an alternative site in the Baltic state of Lithuania.
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7 Comments so far...
M.G. Says:
8 July 2008 at 3:09 pm.
I think they are all bluster. They won’t pull something that stupid.
Cameron Says:
8 July 2008 at 3:13 pm.
They may be serious. We are in a weak position right now both militarily and financially and they are in a very strong financial position and their military isn’t spread out like ours. I’m a little concerned here but I definitely don’t think it is time to panic.
Bryon Says:
8 July 2008 at 3:33 pm.
I hope if they do use military force like that then the European countries will retaliate and not try to hide behind us more than they already do.
Matt Says:
8 July 2008 at 5:34 pm.
Russia threatened us in Cuba and that almost led to disaster. Why are we protecting Europe? Can’t they do it themselves.
The Realist Says:
8 July 2008 at 6:06 pm.
Ya but this is only a defense system, not an offensive weapon. Totally different.
Hank Says:
8 July 2008 at 8:14 pm.
What a wild day. I remember the Soviet threat and how scared we all were but I think they are bluffing this time. They probably think we are in to weak of a position to push it. I agree with Cameron. I don’t think it is time for anyone to panic.
Sharon Anderson Says:
8 July 2008 at 10:06 pm.
Yes, Russia can defend itself. Is seems Europe (including Russia) doesn’t want our defense system. Furthermore, Russia is upset about NATO’s expansion in eastern Europe.
Here is a brief summary regarding Russia and NATO from” The Privateer” newsletter by William Buckler.
In 1990 GHW Bush and Gorbachev signed a treaty where the US agreed not to station foreign troops or nuclear weapons in eastern Germany and not to expand NATO eastward. Since then, the US through NATO has added TEN new eastern countries. US Presidents broke their word to Russia because Russia was perceived as a defeated nation.
Little wonder the EU and Russia have not invited the US or NATO to talks about the Strategic Partnership Accord. Since there is no aggressor or immanent threat on the horizon, Europe’s military defenses are adequate and there is no need for the US to defend Europe. When the Strategic Accord arrives, the excuse for the US to have forces in Europe disappears.
Will the US voluntarily withdraw its armed forces or will the US refuse, which will turn our forces into occupational forces? If we do withdraw from Europe, it is likely that the lesser US bases in other nations around the world ( we have 800 installations in foreign countries) will likely fall and the occupation of Iraq would also fail.
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