President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, left, who met
Oct. 26 near Moscow with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
Posted on 11/13/2008 9:32:59 PM PST by bruinbirdman
MINSK, Belarus -- President Alexander Lukashenko is in talks with Moscow about placing in Belarus advanced Iskander missiles that could hit targets deep inside Europe.
President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, left, who met
Oct. 26 near Moscow with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
The talks raise the ante in the debate over a U.S. plan to deploy missile defense in Europe. They also complicate Western hopes for warmer ties with Belarus, which some in the U.S. and Europe hope could help to counterbalance an increasingly hostile Kremlin.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Lukashenko said that he would like to see closer relations with the West but that he sympathizes with Russia on two flashpoints that have rocked relations -- the conflict in Georgia and U.S. plans to place antimissile systems in Europe to counter a potential threat from Iran.
Mr. Lukashenko said he "absolutely supports" Russia's plans to place Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad that would target the U.S. missile system. Kaliningrad is a Russian enclave in Europe that borders NATO members Poland and Lithuania, and missiles there could reach the proposed U.S. missile sites in Poland.
Mr. Lukashenko said Russia also had proposed putting Iskander missiles in Belarus, which is situated between Russia and Poland. And if a deal on the issue isn't reached, Belarus itself would like to deploy the missiles, he said.
"Even if Russia does not offer these promising missiles, we will purchase them ourselves," said Mr. Lukashenko, who said the technology for the Iskander optics and fire-control systems comes from Belarus. "Right now we do not have the funds, but it is part of our plans -- I am giving away a secret here -- to have such weapons."
Analysts said it is far from clear that Russia
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
What will “the one” do?
The radical Obama sees America akin to the Nazi’s.
I would’nt expect him to confront Russia.
Even if he did do you think Putin would be
intimidated.
Does this mean I should get more Belarus made scopes before things get cold on trade?
Belarus does make the best optics in all of the old USSR
What...are you some sort of third-world nation? Aren't you the Czar-elect? Or at least his cousin?
Nothin. but love for ya, dawg. -Pootie Poot
POSP
Good. Time for the rest of the world to start figuring out how to live like the USA isn’t there to wipe their noses and stop their fights. Welcome to the world, world. When you’re done eating each other, we could use your help with our own tyrannical overlords.
Belarus, the albatross around Moscows neck.
Belarus, that dicomfotable rectal itch that wont go away.
Belarus, what more could anyone say?
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