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Missile Defense

Russian military leaders have expressed concern about US plans for a national missile defense system. Will defense technology be limited by possibilities for a strategic imbalance? Is this just SDI all over again?

lunarchick - 04:39am Apr 12, 2001 EST (#2172 of 2180)
lunarchick@www.com

It's been interesting to watch the 'headlines' re RussioGerman Conference and also the BushJiang incident. Variously sub-editors who write sub-headlines have determined them to be win:loose; and win:win. The reality is that 'ground has been covered in both dialogues'.

I find it intriguing the way the American News Press cover 'the way the President handles this or that' ... everything in the USA seems to hinge on the ONE guy ... and yes the commentators were satisfied with the way the President handled matters ... omitting to say that the rogue President actually set these 24 working people up for a fall .. from the sky!

On the GermanRussian conference, I do believe it was said that the Germans will be running a broacasting service (to some extent) through Russia ... this will triangulate ears and eyes giving them access to a North American, German and Moscow view point ... and the BBC have to be in there somewhere with the world service. Access to more cultures, stories, and insights into the way others deal with the world in business, politics, and responses to human caring along with plurality of culture will strengthen and assist Russians to meet the world head on.

lunarchick - 04:49am Apr 12, 2001 EST (#2173 of 2180)
lunarchick@www.com

On the home front, as the local dollar pivots on the half way marker in relation to the American Dollar, it comes to light that the investment made here regarding R&D is only 1.4% .. this contrasts with Sweeden that puts almost 4% of it's gross domestic product back into R&D. When it is through R&D and the development of 'ideas' 'invention' to 'innovation' and patented product that are the only ways 'Primary type economies' can bolster their economies.

Along with tourism .. what a pity more people aren't taking advantage of our low dollar. The same applies to Russia ... people have heard of all these 'stark' places through the writings, plays and films of C20 .. and would no doubt want to visit them if transport and accommodation howere basic can be offered. The diffusion and movement of youth is a fine way to establish networks that later hold good for business dealings. [As for the USA, your dollar is too strong, and outprices itself.]

rshowalter - 05:58am Apr 12, 2001 EST (#2174 of 2180)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Progress is being made -- and maybe important progress, in the intersts of the US and the whole world. There are reasons to hope for more, because nations, including the US, care and must care, about reasonable conduct, and how they are regarded by others. I was heartened by

Powell Joins Europeans and Russians in Talks About Balkans by JANE PERLEZ http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/12/world/12DIPL.html

Powell Stresses Support for Government of Macedonia

PARIS, April 11 — .......

" Secretary of State Colin L. Powell was immersed in the politics of the Balkans today, sitting down with his European and Russian colleagues to chart the future of the troubled region where American troops remain as peacekeepers. . . . . .

" In Paris, General Powell went through the ritual of what is known as a Contact Group meeting, a gathering created more than six years ago for senior American, Russian and European foreign policy officials to devise a common policy to end the war in Bosnia. Then, the group rarely found common ground, even as it worked on Kosovo, but it seemed to do more so in Paris today than ever before.

" In his comments at the news conference, General Powell went one step further, saying he believed the Yugoslav government would send Mr. Milosevic to The Hague. "I believe that he'll be ultimately handed over because I believe that the Serbian and Yugoslav authorities will realize that at the end of the day they must comply with the will of the international community." emphasis added)

The will of the international community is expressed in formal rules, but even more, in shared ideas -- that can be checked by "counting noses." If the Serbian and Yugoslav authorities do not surrender Milosevic to the Hague, at least until after trying him themselves they will have to give good reasons, and make a case that is actually persuasive to the international community.

That is true generally - and the will of the international community, and the reputation of people in that community, are important -- and cannot be reasonably ignored. They cannot be, and ought not to be, ignored by the United States either. Often enough, the US acts in ways that show appreciation of that.

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