[Orion78]

I have my suggestion. He probably told that Russia and other countries with whom he sits at the moment are not up to that task.

Since it is American, Britian and a host of others that are doing the dirty work for the rest of the world, (i.e. "cleaning south of Russia's border"), I don't understand why Putin and "other countries with whom he sits" need to be "up to that task". Unless of course, the task is opposing us. And, if I recall correctly, some of the nations with which Putin sits are;

China (Communist)
North Korea (Communist)
Iran (Terrorist Sponsor)
Iraq (Terrorist Sponsor)
Syria (Terrorist Sponsor)
Palestinians (Terrorist Sponsor)
Cuba (Socialist)
Germany (Socialist)
France (The French)

I could go on but I think I've made my point. That is some good company Putin keeps. Is it no wonder why America is suspicious of Russia and always, "throwing around accusations", as you put it? You say Russia does not ally with these countries, but every thread on my homepage suggests otherwise. Shouldn't Putin's background (X-KGB) and company make you, and other Russians like you who believe in capitalism and democracy, suspicious?

BTW the missile which Russia sells is under UN restriction of range which make it the defensive weapon. Name Iskander-E. You may see characteristics of ROSOBORONEXPORT site.

I have no doubt that you sell those legally in compliance with UN regulations. What the Americans have a problem with is when you do things like this:

Russia, China aid Iran's missile program (9/10/97)

Russia and China are working closely with Iran in building long-range nuclear missiles that could be fielded within three years, The Washington Times has learned.

A detailed Israeli intelligence report about the cooperation, which was given to the CIA and Pentagon, confirms that Iran is building two systems based on North Korea's Nodong missile with ranges up to 1,200 miles, Pentagon officials said.

Among the Russians directly involved is Yuri Koptev, head of the Russian Space Agency, as well as the aerospace director of the Russian state arms exporting agency, who was not identified further, said officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Russian and Chinese transfers of missile technology to Iran appear to violate the 31-nation Missile Technology Control Regime, which bans exports of missiles and related technology for medium-range missiles. It calls for sanctions to be imposed on violators who ship missiles with ranges greater than 186 miles and payloads heavier than 1,100 pounds.

Iran to focus on longer-range Shihab-4 (7/19/00)

The officials said Iran will focus its efforts on completing development of the Shihab-4 and staging its first test launch. The Shihab-4 aims to have a range of at least 2,000 kilometers, 700 kilometers more than the Shihab-3. U.S. defense officials said the Shihab-4 will be a breakthrough for Iran. Unlike the Shihab-3, the Shihab-4 will be completely based on Russian technology -- probably that of the SS-4 missile.

Some Western defense sources agree. But they said Iran plans to continue with its missile development with the Shihab-5. This missile will have a range of 5,500 kilometers and could strike parts of the United States.

The sources expect Iran to complete development of the Shihab-4 in 2005. The missile is expected to be completed as Teheran will produce nuclear weapons.

Now look at what happened over the course of only 3 years thanks to Russia's questionable sales. Iran will have nukes in 2 years, along with missiles to put the nukes on, that can hit the United States and even Moscow. Ask yourself, do you trust nuclear weapons and missiles with ranges of 5500km in the hands of the Iranians? What about the Syrians?

[RusIvan]

Shouldn't Putin's background (X-KGB) and company make you, and other Russians like you who believe in capitalism and democracy, suspicious?++++

Honestly not. Because we all from Soviet union.
Putin was student of Saint Petersburg university, the law school. After graduation they hired him to intellegence survice of KGB.
In my university the recruters of KGB went too. So as MVD (the ministry of internal affairs). They hunted for law faculty students. I knew few who was recruted.
So for me it is nothing unusual.
KGB didn't take volontiers. They choosed someone then made the proposition.
I red CIA of USA did same things in american universities.

It was life. We lived in USSR then we had to do along with it. I was student of physics so they wasn't interested in me. And I had the problems with political office too. Long tongue you know.
If I would be student of law school they would kick me out.
But they allowed to physicists some free way.
We joked that all the soviet physicist was anti-sovetchiks. It is almost true accually.

So Putin just did what young man could do in his situation. If he turns down KGB recruter then he maybe didn't find another job. All jobs in USSR was state you remember.

But he still russian guy. So it mean that he is nationalist and love Russia. His life abroad teached him many things about West. Thank to KGB intellegence. So now he wants to invent and copy them to Russia.
It is fine for me.

Ask yourself, do you trust nuclear weapons and missiles with ranges of 5500km in the hands of the Iranians? What about the Syrians? +++

Yes it is worry me. I don't want that in thier hands.

I want to explain you situation as I see it.

You know when Russia became independent, she inherit some things from USSR. I mean some connections with some countries.

Whole idea of Russia independence as I learn in 80th (it began lot before 1991!) was about to cut off the long list of Soviet allies and clients which Russia as the core of USSR had to feed and cater (with oil for example).
But in same time Russia didn't want just to abandon all of them.
The idea was just to trade with those countries with same merchandases but for hard currencies.
If everything go smoothly Russia haves the same markets for her goods as USSR had. But no obligations of USSR!
It is win-win situation for Russia.

That is why Russia continues to support the relations with those countries. Some of them are debtors of Russia.
Russia want to get those debts.
Aside of that be sure Russia don't like them more then US likes them. But business is business.

If Russia can find another markets for her goods she will switch at once.

It is just brief explanation.
What to do now? I don't know.
As US goes cleaning south of russian border. It benefits Russia in matter of security but in same time it hurts Russia finantially.
There has to be solution. But it is not up to me and you probably too.