Global arms race reaches new level - Putin

RIA Novosti (Russian-owned news) ^ | 10MAY06 | RIA Novosti

[familyop]

MOSCOW, May 10 (RIA Novosti) - The global arms race has reached a new technological level, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

"The key issues of disarmament have practically been removed from the global agenda against the backdrop of the threat of international terrorism," Putin said in his annual state of the nation address.

"We still have no guarantees that weapons, including nuclear weapons, will not be deployed in the space," he said. "There is the potential threat of the construction and proliferation of low-yield nuclear weapons. Moreover, media and experts have been discussing the use of intercontinental ballistic missiles with a non-nuclear warhead. The launch of such a missile may provoke an inappropriate reaction from nuclear powers including a full-scale counterstrike with the use of strategic nuclear forces."

[agere_contra]

We still have no guarantees that weapons, including nuclear weapons, will not be deployed in the space

Well sign a treaty Putin, if you can negotiate one. The previous weaponisation of space treaty was with a shadowy entity known as the "Soviet Union", but they don't seem to be around anymore

[CWOJackson]

"There is the potential threat of the construction and proliferation of low-yield nuclear weapons."

He should know...he's helping some seriously sick countries obtain them.

[sgtbono2002]

You've got that right.

[ProCivitas]

So, what sort of policy will maintain and build peace? Do the countries now seeking to acquire nukes and wmd do so because they feel threatened by the current posessors of that technology?
Or do they intend to threaten and attack others?
Kellog-Briand Treaty type arrangements don't seem to do much good. But treaties are legally binding even if not well enforced, and provide a basis on which to use measures to verify compliance and so on.
What works? Any thoughts?

[familyop]

"What works? Any thoughts?"

...my guess:

Disseminating moral repairs for cultural flaws to whole populations that live under power-hungry despots might do it. National pride should be based on good deeds--not imaginings of inherent superiority or physical power to expand into becoming empires.

But that wasn't helpful toward a quick solution, was it.

[RasterMaster]

USSR is still an enemy, whatever they call it today. Putin selling arms to our enemies should be a big clue that Russians are no ally.

[wolfcreek]

Then why are you so against reining in Iran, Putey?

[ProCivitas]

Well, no, not a quick solution, but you're probably right about the cultural flaws problem.
Maybe concerted mass-communications and advocacy across borders could work, like Radio Free Europe, Radio Marti etc. advocating the 'good deeds' and productive peaceful basis for real national honor.

[familyop]

...update from Tailgunner Joe.

Putin takes swipe at hungry America's 'Comrade Wolf'
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1630036/posts