Medvedev: Russia may target missile defense sites

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

MOSCOW (AP) - Russia will deploy new missiles aimed at U.S. missile defense sites in Europe if Washington goes ahead with the planned shield despite Russia's concerns, President Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday.

Russia will station missiles in its westernmost Kaliningrad region and other areas if Russia and NATO fail to reach a deal on the U.S.-led missile defense plans, he said in a tough statement that seemed to be aimed at rallying domestic support.

Russia considers the plans for missile shields in Europe, including in Romania and Poland, to be a threat to its nuclear forces, but the Obama administration insists they are meant to fend off a potential threat from Iran.

Moscow has agreed to consider NATO's proposal last fall to cooperate on the missile shield, but the talks have been deadlocked over how the system should operate. Russia has insisted that the system should be run jointly, which NATO has rejected.



Read more: Medvedev: Russia may target missile defense sites

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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev speaks at an award ceremony in the Gorki residence outside Moscow, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011. Medvedev presented Russian medals to IOC President Jacques Rogge and International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fazel. (AP Photo/Alexander Nemenov, Pool)

[qb]

1. Yay! A new Cold War!

:sarcasm:

[Nihil]

4. "Invest in the War Effort ..."

"... because you *know* that it will never stop making a profit!"

[dipsydoodle]

2. "meant to fend off a potential threat from Iran"

has been the lie from day one. Obviously its being sustained.

[DallasNE]

3. More Defense Money Down The Rat Hole

Plus it is the wrong weapon if the threat is Iran. The laser based system that zaps a missile in the boost phase is better suited for a regional threat such as Iran. Of course Russia will build a system to counter this European based system, especially since it would be built in former Soviet dominated countries.

[Dover]

5. Medvedev: Russia will target US missile shield if no deal reached

Source: AP

MOSCOW — Russia's president threatened on Wednesday to deploy missiles to target the U.S. missile shield in Europe if Washington fails to assuage Moscow's concerns about its plans, a harsh warning that reflected deep cracks in U.S.-Russian ties despite President Barack Obama's efforts to "reset" relations with the Kremlin.

Dmitry Medvedev said he still hopes for a deal with the U.S. on missile defense, but he strongly accused Washington and its NATO allies of ignoring Russia's worries. He said that Russia will have to take military countermeasures if the U.S. continues to build the shield without legal guarantees that it will not be aimed against Russia.

The U.S. has repeatedly assured Russia that its proposed missile defense system wouldn't be directed against Russia's nuclear forces, and it did that again Wednesday.

"I do think it's worth reiterating that the European missile defense system that we've been working very hard on with our allies and with Russia over the last few years is not aimed at Russia," said Capt. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman. "It is ... designed to help deter and defeat the ballistic missile threat to Europe and to our allies from Iran."




Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45419469/ns/world_news-europe/

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U.S. leverage to get Russia's cooperation on Iran?
If I lived in Europe I'm not sure I'd feel any safer with these missiles there... kind of like having a target on your back.

[jakeXT]

6. Medvedev's special statement on missile defense

Dear Citizens of Russia!

My address to you stems from the current situation around the missile defense system NATO is currently building in Europe.

The history of our relations with the United States and NATO member states in missile defense has been a long and difficult one. When in September 2009 President Barack Obama revised the European missile defense plans of his predecessor, we reacted positively. That decision helped us sign an important treaty on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive weapons, which clearly stated the inextricable connection between strategic offensive weapons and missile defense. It was a great achievement.

But then the United States embarked on a new, so-called “phased” missile defense plan. It worries us, because it stipulates the deployment of relevant U.S. military potential near Russian borders and in water areas adjoining Russia.

..

http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/23/60905583.html

[LeftofU]

7. Do thier missles still work?

Or is this just hot air?

[Nihil]

10. Yes and so do their dictionaries!

:P

[IamK]

8. targeting a anti missle shield with missles does not seem like a threat...

[Nihil]

11. Maybe they know more about the performance of the "shield" than you do?

I bet their English is better too ...

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sarcasmo]

12. A new cold War, with new weapons and the same rhetoric.