Activists wave the anti radar flag during a protest against plan to build a U.S. Missile defense shield in Czech Republic, at Wenceslas Square, center of Prague, Czech Republic, 08 July 2008. (EPA/SRDJAN SUKI)
by Aamer Madhani
With time running out on for the Bush administration to execute its plan to build a U.S. missile shield in Europe, the director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency today criticized Russia for holding up the effort.
At a Pentagon news conference, Lt. Gen. Henry Obering said that Russia's "increasingly aggressive" rhetoric against a U.S. proposal to place 10 missile interceptors in Poland and a tracking system in the Czech Republic was unfounded.
Russia has been adamantly opposed to the U.S. plans to build a weapons system in Central Europe, which the Pentagon and Bush administration argue is necessary to protect the U.S. and its allies from Iran. U.S. intelligence officials conclude that Tehran could be able to launch an intercontinental missile as early as 2010.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said last week that his country will be forced to take "further steps in response" if Washington moves ahead with its plans for the missile shield. The Russian president's vague threat followed the Russian Foreign Ministry warning that it may launch a military response if the Czech Republic ratified an agreement to host the tracking system.
"I think it's incumbent upon them when they make increasingly aggressive statements, it's incumbent upon them to justify those," Obering said. "There is absolutely no justification in our eyes for some of their statements and some of their concerns about these sites."
Russia has argued that U.S. officials are overstating the Iranian threat. Russian officials also see plans for U.S. missile defense system near their border as an attempt by Washington to gain a military edge over them.
Obering repeated today that the U.S. defense system would not be a threat to Russia and that it was incumbent to take action before Iran makes further significant progress in building up its own weaponry. Last week, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard reportedly launched a series of mid- to long-range ballistic missiles in the Strait of Hormuz
"So I think it's time that world turns and asks the Russians to justify their position on why they are acting, in our case, in such an unjustified way," Obering said.
The three-star general added that U.S. officials have also proposed joint monitoring of the system in an effort to assuage Russian concern. In recent weeks, senior U.S. military officials and President Bush have expressed the dire nature of the Iranian threat while downplaying the possibility of a military altercation with Iran.
Still, Obering stressed that time is running out to build a missile shield that could be an effective defense against a potential Iranian strike on Europe, Israel or U.S. forces in the Middle East.
"If you wait until they demonstrate an ability to fly a certain distance, 2,000- 3,000-4,000 kilometers, which would encompass almost all of Europe, it's too late to start building missile defenses at that point against it," he said.
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Comments
General Obering's deceptive rhetoric is not fooling anyone. The so-called "threat" from Iran is merely an excuse to increase US domination and influence in the region, and to weaken Russia's strategic deterrent so that no one can stand opposed to US imperialism, both economic and military.
Posted by: Jon Grams | July 15, 2008 5:05 PM
This has nothing to do with the Iranian missile "threat" or protecting Poland. Bush is trying to arrange another big payday for his defense contractor buddies.
I think those free-market capitalists of the Bush admin. should let the market decide whether or not this project makes sense. If the European Union agrees to pay a lump sum for each Iranian missile that gets shot down, how many GOP bigshots will put up their own money to finance the system? C'mon, put your money where your mouth is George!
Posted by: Tom O | July 15, 2008 6:01 PM
Once again the US trying to be the world's police force. If this is so important why isn't the European Unition doing something?
Posted by: DJ | July 16, 2008 2:52 AM
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Posted by: Jon Grams | July 15, 2008 5:05 PM
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Expressed like a true socialist propagandist. Nevertheless, you are wrong.
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We already have as much influence in that region of the world as we are going to get. All the Baltic States and former Warsaw Pact countries west of the Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova already belong to NATO. How do we get more influence than that? In addition, your suggestion that the U.S. is gaining domination is a myth (to put it politely). These countries cooperate with the U.S. The U.S. presence in any of these countries, in any form, is only by consent. I might also remind you that dissent among NATO members is not unheard of. Moreover, unlike the former Soviet Union, NATO members do not have a tradition of invading one another to keep everyone in line.
Posted by: John W. | July 16, 2008 5:11 AM
How dare those Russians talk tough! Only the US gets to threaten other countries.
We must keep the world safe from the nuclear weapons Iran does not have being launched on the missiles Iran does not have.
Posted by: Victor | July 16, 2008 9:36 AM
I see both sides of this situation. Yes, it would be nice to protect European nations from an Iranian threat. It would also be nice to shield any Euro nations from the threat of future Russian aggression. Both the U.S. and Russia have held high hopes for a means to develop interception systems that would render the concept of "mutually assured destruction" moot. All governments would like to have at their disposal the threat of nuclear destruction without the fear of reprisal from other countries. And yes, America has become accustomed to throwing her weight around to ensure her interests. If America does not pursue her interests at the detriment of other nations, other nations will pursue their interests at the detriment of U.S. interests. No balancing act. I just don't think that things are so cut and dry as some have earlier posted.
Posted by: KngOfStrngs | July 20, 2008 6:58 PM
MEDVEDEV DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER
Medvedev does not have the power to remove the missiles in Western and Eastern Europe, and America; but he does have the power to determine whether they are pointed at Holy Mother Russia or at the China.
Posted by: Jeugenen | July 25, 2008 7:19 PM
I think we should rethink our stanse on cuba.And get in there and put a defense system in that could take out subs.And start importing good cigars again& rum! Why should we let Russia have all the good stuff?
Put in a missle shield all over Europe,and have India step up to the plate and invade Pakistan.They could use the room.We can flood afganistian with drafted Americans who in an effort to leave sooner will kick ass!
And start producing more steel put Americans to work making alot more Black bombers,the big quiet ones and alot more subs,and Navy ships.
Then start fixing our infrastructure, roads, bridges,plant more trees,hydroelectric power plants,coalgas,etc....And don't elect Obama not because he is black but because he is very uneducated in running the country,and the miltary.And he appears to be a communist.
Posted by: DJ | July 27, 2008 3:41 AM