Putin threatens to point nukes at key European cities if America doesn't back down...

se7en · June 3rd, 2007, 09:49 AM

Let the coldwar part 2 begin...

By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press Writer 40 minutes ago
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070603/...ia_us_missiles

ROME - Russian President
Vladimir Putin warned that U.S. plans to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe would force Moscow to target its weapons against Europe.

The threat, in an interview published Sunday in Italy's Corriere della Sera and other foreign media, marked one of Putin's most strident statements to date against the U.S. plans and came just days before he is to join
President Bush and other leaders at a Group of Eight summit in Germany.

In the interview, Putin was asked whether the proposed missile defense shield would compel Moscow to direct its own missiles at locations and U.S. military sites in Europe, as during the Cold War.

"If the American nuclear potential grows in European territory, we have to give ourselves new targets in Europe," Putin said, according to Corriere. "It is up to our military to define these targets, in addition to defining the choice between ballistic and cruise missiles."

Russia has not overtly targeted Europe since agreeing after the fall of the Soviet Union not to direct missiles against specific countries, according to Pavel Felgenhauer, an independent military analyst based in Moscow. He added however, that that was simple technical matter, since a missile can be given a target within minutes.

Previously, some Russian military officials have said Moscow could aim Russian weapons at Europe-based missile systems.

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek accused Russia on Sunday of misleading the public about the planned missile defense bases in the Czech Republic and Poland to hide Russia's internal problems.

"Russia needs an outside enemy to hide problems at home," Topolanek said.

The United States made a formal request in January to place a radar base in a military area southwest of Prague, Czech Republic, and 10 interceptor missiles in neighboring Poland as part of plans for a missile defense shield that Washington says would protect against a potential threat from
Iran.

The U.S. plans have brought a strong reaction from Russia, which accuses the United States of threatening Russian territory and of trying to start a new arms race.

Putin was interviewed Friday at his dacha by journalists from each of the G-8 countries, Corriere said.

The three-day summit, Wednesday to Friday at the Baltic Sea resort of Heiligendamm, will bring together leaders of the United States, Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, and Japan.

___

Associated Press writer Maria Danilova contributed to this report from Moscow.

Heucrazy · June 4th, 2007, 09:53 AM

"He added however, that that was simple technical matter, since a missile can be given a target within minutes."

So in other words, "much ado about nothing".

nidan · June 7th, 2007, 11:38 AM

Now they have apparently agreed to site the radar in different but mutually acceptable country who btw is just fine with that.

This was obviously nothing but political theater setup for Putin's internal politics with Bush's prior agreement.

It was resolved to easily and quickly to have been anything else.

PortlandCardFan · June 7th, 2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nidan

Now they have apparently agreed to site the radar in different but mutually acceptable country who btw is just fine with that.

This was obviously nothing but political theater setup for Putin's internal politics with Bush's prior agreement.

It was resolved to easily and quickly to have been anything else.

I didn't read they agreed, more like 'we'll look into it'. Also The MDS (missile defense system) will be open to both sides. A joint MDS if you will. Some of the US officials like the Czech and Poland sites because it gives them more time to respond (I haven't looked at a map but Azerbiajan is off the Caspian Sea).

All that said they did seem to be working for a viable solution between our countries which is good.

nidan · June 7th, 2007, 12:22 PM

They agreed

Quote:

HEILIGENDAMM, Germany (CNN) -- U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed Thursday at the G8 summit in Germany to cooperate on missile-defense systems, apparently cooling tensions between the two leaders.

"We have an understanding about common threats, but we have differences. The difference is the ways and means in which we can overcome these threats," Putin told reporters after a one-on-one meeting with Bush.

While the United States wants to install missile-defense systems in Poland and the Czech Republic -- a plan that has severely irritated the Russians -- Putin said he suggested using an existing radar station that Russia rents in neighboring Azerbaijan.

That way, all of Europe would be protected, he said at a joint news conference.
"The existing agreement makes it possible for us to do this. And the president of Azerbaijan stressed he would be glad to contribute to world security and stability," Putin said.
He said he met with the Azerbaijan president on Wednesday. There would have to be new construction, and that could start right away, Putin added.
Azerbaijan, formerly part of the Soviet Union, is north of Iran, and is bordered on the east by the Caspian Sea.
According to Putin, use of the radar station would make it unnecessary for Russia to install "offensive complexes" at European borders and unnecessary for the United States to put such complexes in outer space.

link

Gaddabout · June 7th, 2007, 06:07 PM

Old rule from the Cold War: Whenever a Russian premier or representative speaks out against the U.S., it is never about what they're attacking, and always about them wanting something.