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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 - 05:59pm May 4, 2001 EST (#3292 of 3300)
lunarchick@www.com

Looking down:

Dennis Tito, the first tourist in space, entered the International Space Station on Monday 30 April, but one of the astronauts who took him there, Yuri Baturin, has more than space travel on his mind – at least when he is earthbound. Baturin is the Chairman of Center Transparency International-Russia, the national chapter of the world’s leading non-governmental organisation against corruption. While space travel may now become an interesting hobby for some, Baturin combines an unusual and dangerous profession with the no less unusual and challenging mission as Chairman of Transparency International in post-communist Russia. (Russia was perceived as the 82nd most corrupt of 90 countries surveyed in the TI Corruption Perceptions Index 2000.)

lunarchick - 06:00pm May 4, 2001 EST (#3293 of 3300)
lunarchick@www.com

Can NASA claim an astronaut who looks at corruption in the USA -- if not, why not?

lunarchick - 06:01pm May 4, 2001 EST (#3294 of 3300)
lunarchick@www.com

Check the tables to note that the USA 'isn't' number one with regards to being 'least corrupt' -- why not ?

rshowalter - 06:06pm May 4, 2001 EST (#3295 of 3300)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

We should fix it . . .rshowalter 4/22/01 3:35pm

possumdag - 06:07pm May 4, 2001 EST (#3296 of 3300)
Possumdag@excite.com

Conflict of Interest clashes with USA Transparency ?

lunarchick - 06:15pm May 4, 2001 EST (#3297 of 3300)
lunarchick@www.com

US labour market weakens further May 4, 2001
2. Asia Watch: US tensions raise China risks May 4, 2001
3. Florida agrees on electoral overhaul May 4, 2001

FT.com Healines re Bush
Note: UK PM/Bush Push has opposition :

PM faces opposition on missile plans By Andrew Parker, Political Correspondent Published: May 3 2001 19:12GMT | Last Updated: May 4 2001 03:04GMT Tony Blair faces increasing opposition from Labour MPs to the government's support for US plans for defences against rogue nuclear states such as Iraq.

Moderate as well as leftwing MPs on Thursday voiced their concern after the Conservatives forced the government to give an emergency Commons statement.

Robin Cook, foreign secretary, sought to clarify the government's position after the prime minister's official spokesman said on Wednesday that US plans for missile defences were a good idea. The spokesman's comments differed from those from Mr Blair who in the Commons had refused to say if he thought Britain would benefit from the protection of a nuclear missile shield.

on Thursday Mr Cook backed Mr Blair's more cautious statement that the government should wait for detailed proposals from the US. However, he hinted that Britain would not object if the US wants to upgrade its radar station at Fylingdales in north Yorkshire for the missile defences.

Tony Benn, the veteran Labour MP, claimed Mr Blair had been deliberately cautious about the US plans because of the election, expected on June 7, and the knowledge that many people are opposed to missile defences for fear they will unleash another arms race.

Taunting Mr Cook about his former membership of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Mr Benn warned the government risked provoking protests similar to those when the US put cruise missiles at Greenham Common airbase in Berkshire in 1983.

Mr Blair's apparent caution on Wednesday was in contrast to his first meeting with George W Bush, US president, in February.

The two leaders issued a statement endorsing the case for missile defences which said: "We need to obstruct and deter these new threats [from weapons of mass destruction] with a strategy that encompasses both offensive and defensive systems."

Mr Blair's decision to support Mr Bush, in contrast to other European Union members, is driven in large part by his determination to forge a strong relationship with the new administration in Washington. He does not want to give William Hague, Conservative leader, the opportunity to claim a better rapport with Mr Bush.

But while Mr Blair supports the US plans, Malcolm Savidge, a moderate Labour MP, expects more than 100 colleagues to sign a Commons early day motion that c

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