Russia sees threat from US plan for missiles in eastern Europe

[Cheetah786]

A top Russian general warned that a missile defense system that the United States wants to deploy in eastern Europe would pose a "clear threat" to his country.
The United States confirmed it would soon begin formal talks on deploying the system in the Czech Republic and Poland, aimed at warding off rocket attacks from North Korea or Iran.
But General Vladimir Popovkin, who commands Russia's space forces, said that "our analysis shows that the location of the US base would be a clear threat to Russia."
The system would include 10 interceptor missiles and a radar which could be split between the Czech Republic and Poland.
"It's doubtful that Iranian or North Korean rockets would go across Poland or the Czech Republic," the general was quoted as saying by Russia's ITAR-TASS news agency.
"The radar in the Czech Republic would be able to monitor rocket installations in central Russia and the Northern Fleet."
The US embassy in Prague said in a statement that the United States had contacted the Czech and Polish governments "and will begin negotiations on the possible deployment of US missile defense assets on Czech and Polish territory."
"No final decision has been made and no timetable for negotiations has been established; however, the United States and the Czech Republic expect that these negotiations will begin soon."
Czech and Polish leaders rejected Russia's fears as groundless.
Czech Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova retorted that "the Russian Federation is perfectly aware that it is not threatened by this system."
She said the statements coming out of Moscow smacked of "political propaganda."
"I consider the Russians' fears to be absurd," Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said.
The prime minister on Saturday announced that Washington had asked to start talks on locating part of the system, a radar station, on Czech soil.
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski confirmed that his government had been approached by Washington for talks and also dismissed Moscow's claims that the defence system targeted Russia.
"The Russians have known for years what projects the Americans have in the making. They were even invited to be part of this system," he said.
US State Department official Daniel Fried, who held talks on the missile plan in Poland at the weekend, said in an interview that the United States had entered a "new phase" of talks on the missile proposal.
"We have held very preliminary technical discussions up to now with the Polish authorities. Now, we are moving into a new phase where we will put forward a very concrete, serious proposal," Fried, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, told the Rzeczpospolita daily.
The US State Department reiterated its view that the missile system was not directed against Russia.
"It's not aimed at Russia, it's aimed at those irresponsible states that may possess these technologies that could threaten our friends and allies, that could threaten the United States," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in Washington.
"We are open to missile defense cooperation with Russia, so it's not meant to exclude Russia," McCormack told reporters.
Around two-thirds of Poles are against Poland housing all or part of the US anti-missile defence system, a survey conducted last year showed.
Many in the Czech Republic also oppose it, with several hundred people protesting in Prague Sunday.
Moscow has warned of "negative consequences" if Prague agrees to host the missile system.
"This decision, if taken by the Czechs, will not be without consequences," Andrei Kokoshin, the president of the Russian parliamentary committee for the former Soviet states, was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying on Friday.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said in November that it was a "destabilizing" move to which Russia would respond.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/01/22/070122163310.yirnul5o.html

 

[blain2]

The way things have been going, US could give two hoots about what Russians have to say in all reality. Until and unless this is a truely bi-polar situation, the US will continue to do what it likes regardless of the squeaks coming out of Russia.

 

[lulldapull]

Russia has started to thaw out a lot of cold war projects from deep freeze. The highlight of these will include the space interceptors and other high energy Beam and EM Pulse weapons.

If these stupid hillbilly's persist in being stubborn, then so be it. There is a lot of money now in the Kremlin to pursue and revive space weapons programs.

My suggestion to backward NASA would be to try to develop a reliable platform to get to space first and avoid disintegration upon re-entry, instead of buying Russian equipment.

Photo — MosNews archive

NASA To Buy 4 Russian Spacecrafts

Created: 10.01.2007 11:24 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 11:37 MSK, 4 hours 28 minutes ago

MosNews

NASA has agreed to the price and the delivery dates of the four spacecrafts from the Russian Federal Space Agency, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

NASA is to buy four Russian ships including two Soyuz and two Progress spacecrafts.

“NASA wishes to retire its Shuttles as soon as possible to ensure funds for the construction of their new craft,” the head of Russia’s manned flight programs Alexie Krasnov said. ’We are happy to help with the availability of our reliable vehicles.“

Earlier in the year it was reported that NASA was interested in buying the services of one Soyuz to allow US astronauts to travel to and from the ISS as a contingency for any problems with their Space Shuttle fleet.

The confirmation of the order was discussed in detail — and approved — at a round table debate on the space industry’s role in the Russian national security system, which was held in the Russian Parliament’s upper house.

 

[PakSniper]

The above purchase means nothing lull.

Plus., Russia really can't do anything they are receiving a trashing from Chechnya (daily), Russia currently has no real power to stop the U.S., from spreading it's influence helping Iran isn't going to do much cause it will be taken out quickly so much for having an ally.

 

[lulldapull]

The above purchase means nothing lull.

Plus., Russia really can't do anything they are receiving a trashing from Chechnya (daily), Russia currently has no real power to stop the U.S., from spreading it's influence helping Iran isn't going to do much cause it will be taken out quickly so much for having an ally.

I would like to see the U.S. try to take out Iran

The 'thrashing' that you're talking about Russia getting is more 'Wahabbi' and CIA propaganda. The Russians have pretty much killed all Chechans. And occupy the country.

Russia's economy is soaring due to petro and oil profits/ weapon deals and they have more money than ever before. This is not 1989 bhai meray......Its 2007!

 

[niaz]

I would like to see the U.S. try to take out Iran

The 'thrashing' that you're talking about Russia getting is more 'Wahabbi' and CIA propaganda. The Russians have pretty much killed all Chechans. And occupy the country.

Russia's economy is soaring due to petro and oil profits/ weapon deals and they have more money than ever before. This is not 1989 bhai meray......Its 2007!

Cool it my friend. My first visit to Iran was in 1963; on the way to London for studies and I can vouch that Iran in 1983 ( my second visit) was in worse condition than in 1963. Iran's economy was destroyed due to 8 year war with Iraq. Driving thru Tehran's streets one would notice that there was hardly a family which didnt have some member killed or maimed in the war. And half the population was forced to spend nights in the open to avoid the bombs. Iran is just getting back in shape and economy is thriving and you " would like US to take on Iran".!!!

Probably US would suffer a lot more casualties than in Iraq. However, destruction of Iran's infrastructure would run into trillions. Abadan Refinery was at one time the largest and most sophisticated refinery in the world. Many of its upgrading units damaged by Iraq are still not repaired. NIOC is exporting straight fuel oil and importing gasoline and diesel. This is just to emphasize that war is a very destructive and killing event and to be avoided unless it is really forced on you. So please don't hope for war instead pray that it is not forced upon Iran.

 

[A.Rahman]

This is just to emphasize that war is a very destructive and killing event and to be avoided unless it is really forced on you. So please don't hope for war instead pray that it is not forced upon Iran.

finally someone with brains

 

[lulldapull]

I think Niaz mian is on a different wavelength altogether.

Niaz mian that was me implying (attacking Iran) sarcastically. You get nervous just from the thought of it?

 

[niaz]

I think Niaz mian is on a different wavelength altogether.

Niaz mian that was me implying (attacking Iran) sarcastically. You get nervous just from the thought of it?

I was posted at Esso terminal at Keamari as a young engineer when IAF Hunters attacked and set a couple of tanks on fire in 1971 war. If you have ever tried to put out fire in a tank containing 5,000 tons ( approx 150,000 gallons) of diesel, simultaneously trying to cool other storage tanks to keep those safe; you would know how my colleagues and I felt.There was possibility that whole terminal could blow up at any time but we had to be there.

My company had a Crude Vs Products exchange deal with NIOC and I had to travel to Tehran a few times during the 80's. Twice I was a resident at the Sheraton (called 'Homa' after the revolution); when Iraqi war planes attacked Tehran.

I have experienced war at close quarters in two countries and seen what damage and panic aerial bombing can cause. I am not afraid of the war but would prefer to avoid it until there is no other way. That is why I did not like " I would like to see US take on Iran" in your post.