Russia suspends heavy weapons pact with NATO

[eek.]

Hardly a surprise, those new US missiles were the final staw.

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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Russia pulls out of key arms pact

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Russia says that the CFE treaty has become "meaningless"

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IIMA --><!-- S SF -->Russian President Vladimir Putin has suspended involvement in one of the key post-Cold War arms control treaties.
In a statement, the Kremlin said the choice was due to "extraordinary circumstances" affecting security.
Russia has been angered by US plans to base parts of a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic.
The Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty limits the number of heavy weapons deployed between the Atlantic Ocean and the Urals mountains. <!-- E SF -->
'Cornerstone'
A Nato spokesperson said that the alliance's secretary general would "very much regret the decision" if confirmed.
"The allies consider this treaty to be an important cornerstone of European security," he said.
In a separate interview, Nato spokesperson James Appathurai told the BBC the move was "a disappointing step in the wrong direction".
<!-- S IBOX --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5>

</TD><TD class=sibtbg>THE CFE TREATY
Cornerstone of European security
Limits amount of key military equipment in designated area
Negotiated by Nato and ex-Warsaw Pact member states
Signed in 1990
Came into force in 1992
Revised 1999 version never ratified by Nato

<!-- S ILIN -->Russia's new foreign policy
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IBOX -->
The CFE agreement, one of the key Cold War European security accords, was signed eight years after the Warsaw Pact was dissolved.
It sets limits for the number of tanks, heavy artillery and combat aircraft, as well as troops, deployed in the region.
The BBC's Europe editor, Mike Saunders, says that the US announcement of its plans for a missile defence shield within Europe was the last straw for Russia.
Mr Putin saw the plans as further unbalancing a treaty that already limits the conventional arms Russia can deploy on its own territory.
The Kremlin maintains that the 1990 treaty is outdated and restricts its ability to move troops around its own territory. Russia ratified the 1999 revised version, but Nato has not done so. Nato is first demanding the withdrawal of Russian forces from two breakaway regions with Russia-speaking majorities - Abkhazia in Georgia and Trans-Dniester in Moldova.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6898690.stm

 

[Willie99]

I know eek, the US announces they are putting some small amount of defensive missiles in eastern Europe (nothing that can come remotely close to stopping what Russia has) and two days later Russia is testing new weapons to defeat such defense system.


Damn eek, those Russkies sure work fast.:thumbsup:

I'm sure Russia has a legit reason to fear us, eh? :think2:

Hook, line & sinker my friend

 

[SmallDaddy]

"some small amounts of defensive missiles"

Noone can be stupid enough to try to blame this buildup(for both sides) on the Russkies, right?

 

[eek.]

Considering that America totally shat its pants when Cuba was getting a few missiles you can hardly complain.

Recent developments have seen most of eastern europe join NATO.

America would got postal if Mexico and Canada joined the Russian Bloc...then Russia plonks a missile defence shield on Cuba...

...you guys would probably start WW3.

 

[MrJ]

Considering that America totally shat its pants when Cuba was getting a few missiles

And the soviets did that in retaliation to the US parking missiles in turkey. I would guess most americans don't know that.

 

[Willie99]

Considering that America totally shat its pants when Cuba was getting a few missiles you can hardly complain.

Recent developments have seen most of eastern europe join NATO.

America would got postal if Mexico and Canada joined the Russian Bloc...then Russia plonks a missile defence shield on Cuba...

...you guys would probably start WW3.

It's a different era eek, we don't view Russia as an enemy or a threat. Are you really suggesting things haven't changed.

Offense vs defense is also a tad bit different.

After the Bay of Pigs and knowing American policy in the 60's, I don't blame Castro one bit.

The official US position with respect to this issue is to enable Eastern Europe to defend itself against an attack from the Middle East. I think the plan called for placing 10 missiles in Poland.

Is the US Govt being entirely truthful? maybe not

Is Russia? only if you believe they can design, build & test missiles intended to overcome such defense system in a matter of days.

I think the Ruskies have been working on their new missile for some time now, and have found their excuse justifying their coming out party, a/k/a testing.

 

[Willie99]

Of course, their are people stupid enough to blame every problem in the world on the US. Why we even destroy our own cities. :aktion033