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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?

rshowalter - 08:31am Sep 3, 2001 EST (#8379 of 8382)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

When we "encourage" nukes, in any way, we are encouraging instruments built to produce terrible, utterly indefensible war crimes. MD6514 rshowalter 7/3/01 5:55pm

The Cold War ought to be over -- not perpetuated, without limit, by people who have, often, very dubious histories, and who use power, very often, in ways that cannot stand the light of day.

MD8246 rshowalter 8/30/01 3:05pm

rshowalter - 09:30am Sep 3, 2001 EST (#8380 of 8382)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Superb piece by Tyler and, it seems to me, a near-optimal stance for Putin, in the interests of Russia, and the world as a whole, and the United States as well.

Putin, Sizing Up Bush, Says the Retinue 'Makes the King' by PATRICK E. TYLER http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/03/international/europe/03RUSS.html

Putin, Sizing Up Bush, Says the Retinue 'Makes the King'

"MOSCOW, Sept. 2 — President Vladimir V. Putin said this weekend that he believes that George W. Bush has a strong reliance on a powerful circle of aides, but that this circle is still struggling over its priorities, especially in regard to the 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty.

"In an interview with a Finnish newspaper held Saturday before Mr. Putin's departure for Finland today, the Russian leader was asked to evaluate the first seven months of the Bush administration. He said he found his American counterpart "a comfortable and substantive partner," but at the same time added that he had come to believe in the "correctness of the expression that it is the retinue" of aides "that makes the king."

""Of course, it is he who makes the final decision," Mr. Putin added, according to a transcript of the interview issued by his press service, "but we have a feeling that his team has not determined some priorities yet."

"Only when they do, he added, "will our dialogue take on a substantive character."

"The Russian leader seemed to confer a negative judgment on the quality of consultations that have been under way since the two leaders met in Slovenia and Genoa this summer. Moreover, his remarks indicated that Russian officials sense that the debate in Washington over how to proceed with missile defense is still under way and may undergo further change as the White House contemplates a battle in Congress over funding for a $60 billion project whose effectiveness has been intensely debated.

"An influential Russian legislator said here tonight that Russian officials have been urging Mr. Putin to take a "more measured tone" in speaking publicly about Mr. Bush's plans on missile defense.

""Frankly, I do not think it is in our interest to stir up an excessive dust storm on this subject," said Vladimir P. Lukin, a deputy speaker of the Russian Parliament and former ambassador to Washington. Whatever Washington does, Russia's nuclear deterrent will remain unaffected by American missile defenses for at least 10 to 15 years, he said, "so we have no need to be hysterical."

""It is the American authorities who are interested in destroying this treaty," Mr. Lukin continued, "They must deal with the problems this creates with their opposition in Congress, with their allies, with China as it increases its nuclear buildup; it is your problem how to avoid stimulating an arms race with India and Pakistan."

"And, he added, "if they have the money to build the most excessive response to the least probable threat situation, that's O.K."

"Since his first meeting with Mr. Bush, Mr. Putin has met with each of Mr. Bush's principal advisers: Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, who accompanied Mr. Bush to Slovenia in June; Condoleezza Rice, Mr. Bush's national security aide who traveled to Moscow in July; and Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, who visited here in August.

"Russian officials complained during the summer that they were confused by the variety of statements from Washington on whether the Bush administration plans to negotiate a new strategic accord to replace the ABM treaty and to cut nuclear stockpiles further, or whether it is preparing to act alone.

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