Posted on 02/04/2008 9:43:32 AM PST by lizol
Official: Russia might target U.S. missile shield in Poland
2008-02-05 00:16:57
MOSCOW, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. missile defense system, if deployed in Poland, could become a target for Russia's defense system, a senior Russian official said here on Monday.
"There are no doubts that the aim of the United States is not Iran, but control over Russia's nuclear potential," said Konstantin Kosachev, the head of the State Duma foreign policy committee.
Kosachev made the remarks in response to an earlier announcement of Warsaw that it had reached an agreement with Washington on the installation of a U.S. missile defense system.
Kosachev said that "involvement of any third countries, in particular Poland and the Czech Republic, make these countries hostages of and participants in the situation."
Russia made its stance clear on the issue so that "it should not be a surprise for anybody" when Russia takes real action, Itar-Tass news agency quoted Kosachev as saying.
The United States announced plans in January 2007 to deploy 10 missile interceptors in Poland and a missile defense radar in the Czech Republic as part of its European missile shield, purportedly to counter a missile threat from Iran and other "rogue" states.
Russia strongly opposes the plan, claiming it is a direct threat to its security and will break the strategic balance in the region.
The plan also met local resistance in Poland and the Czech Republic.
The current Polish government, elected last year, was initially negative about the plan while trying to mend ties with Russia.
However, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said Friday that Warsaw and the United States had agreed in principle on the deployment plan after he had received assurances that Washington would help Poland strengthen its security.
L
Aww, that's kinda cute! The Russians think we still give a rat's rear end about them!
I’m hoping they mean 10 missile interceptor installations, each of which presumably has several dozen interception devices. If they actually literally mean ten interception devices, then this is entire deal is nothing more than showboating by all parties involved.
A defense system versus a defense system. Should be real lively.
Kosachev said that "involvement of any third countries, in particular Poland and the Czech Republic, make these countries hostages of and participants in the situation."...as opposed to the 40+ years Poland and the Czech Republic spent as hostages of the USSR.
I don’t know how mathski works over there, but 10 interceptors cannot take down 370 or so SS-25/SS-27’s, some of which have two warheads each (I think, maybe only on the -27).==
Yes it is right but.. Those 10+ interceptors may be great help if United States will do the first strike on russia. Then after strike Russia will has just few missiles left so those interceptors will work.
If it were 250 interceptors (and I’ll have to wait to see more info) then I could understand the concern a lot more==
In Russia they beleive that 10+ interceptors are just beginning. They think that with years it will be more at least 10 times of them.
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