Posted on 05/20/2010 4:11:58 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The United States has agreed to notify other nations before it launches most ballistic missile tests or satellites, in a measure that builds on a landmark arms agreement with Russia and is meant to encourage Moscow to reciprocate.
The American decision was contained in a confidential note made available Thursday to The Associated Press and confirmed by three diplomats familiar with the issue.
The move is less far-reaching — or binding — than the treaty signed last month by the U.S. and Russian presidents that outlines cuts in both nations' massive nuclear arsenals. But it is significant in reflecting Washington's determination to build on the success of that agreement.
For years, Russia voluntarily provided such pre-notifications regarding the launch of ballistic missile tests or satellites. But it stopped doing that two years ago, complaining that the U.S. and other nations were not following suit.
One senior diplomat familiar with the issue said that Moscow is now expected to resume its reporting. That would add to the confidence building that received a huge push with last month's signing of the nuclear arms agreement.
"The United States ... will provide pre-launch notification of commercial and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) space launches as well as the majority of intercontinental ballistic and submarine-launched ballistic missile launches," said the note forwarded to HCOC, an organization overseeing efforts to curb the spread of such weapons.
The wording indicated that not all missile tests would be subject to pre-notification, but it was not clear from the note what would be exempt.
The U.S. decision was conveyed to the other 129 HCOC member states on May 7, judging from the date on a cover letter accompanying the American note and signed by Austria's Foreign Ministry, which administers the Vienna-based Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
When do we apologize?
What a dumb son of a b*tch Obama is.
I’m reminded of the movie “Jurrasic Park”. The T-Rex keeps testing the electric fence until one day the fence no longer functions and the dinosaur walks right through it. The US no longer has any sting in the eye of our enemies.
Great idea, Barry! Give everybody time to dispatch the fishing trawlers and position the satellites for a good view of the show.
I wish I could say you are brainless....but you’re a shrewd one. Too bad you don’t work for us.
Unbelievable.
Air Force announces theirs already (to Russia) they are unclass. Navy launch dates are classified until the launch (involves nuke sub movement) so wonder how they are going to work that out
I sure hope November gets here faster than it normally would. 2012 would be nice, but all we can do for now is accelerate November. Obama “giving away” our military superiority (and our safety) is more than any thinking American can take. When is this revolving door of a nightmare going to stop?
I didn’t see where it says how far ahead of time the announcement would be made. I can see Greenpeace now, trying to get in the way of sub launched trident missile. Good Lord, there is not ONE brain cell in all of D.C.
” as well as the majority of intercontinental ballistic “
The majority,,not all. Let’s keep those (dummy)nuke launch exercises at Secret,,k?
O Wow... Guess what happens when someone along the chain forgets to tell the person with his/her finger on the button on the other side watching for a launch signature or there’s a comm failure...
Yeah. Tell em it was a ‘time zone’ issue. Let them scramble their jets THEN launch ZEE MISSSILES!!!
As if he’s going to launch anything other than his big fat overused mouth.
All the better to monitor your telemetry, Obama is an idiot
We announce unilateral disarmament and invite our enemies to follow suit.
Ya, that’ll work
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