Close associate of Osama bin Laden, Khaled al-Harbi, surrenders
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/07/13/binladen.aide/index.html
Russkie update: (IVANOV's subtle hint?)
Russia views NUCLEAR DETERRENCE as global security basis
13.07.2004, 17.14
LONDON, July 13 (Itar-Tass)
Russia regards nuclear weapons and nuclear deterrence as the basis of global security, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said in his speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies here on Tuesday.
"Nuclear deterrence is the burden the great powers have to carry on," the minister said, this makes politicians feel responsible for the decisions they take.
"If such a phenomenon as nuclear deterrence did not exist in the world, the number of conflicts would be far larger," Ivanov emphasized.
He noted that at present there is a trend toward the nuclear deterrence of a new type: "the deterrence for ensuring strategic stability."
The Russian leadership regards the maintenance of high combat capability and combat readiness of the strategic nuclear forces as its main priority.
The main objective of the Russian polity in the field of strategic deterrence is the guaranteed protection of sovereignty, territorial integrity and other vital national interests of Russia and its allies, the defense minister said.
Russia closely watches the USA's actions in this field, for example, its programs to create small nuclear charges, and is ready to take part in ensuring global strategic stability under any scenarios of the development of the military-political situation in the world, where strategic threats come to the foreground, Ivanov said.
www.itar-tass.com/eng/lev...&PageNum=0