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Russian military leaders have expressed concern about US plans for a national missile defense system. Will defense technology be limited by possibilities for a strategic imbalance? Is this just SDI all over again?

eric.hill - 11:17am Apr 18, 2001 EST (#2355 of 2359)

Reason I asked about Russian Language, Robert I have downloaded Russian software and would like to communicate with the Russians.

rshowalter - 11:32am Apr 18, 2001 EST (#2356 of 2359)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Here's a good site. http://russianculture.about.com/culture/russianculture/

Perhaps Russia's web page might help, as well.

rshowalter - 11:42am Apr 18, 2001 EST (#2357 of 2359)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

On the issue of the legitimacy of China, and the freedom of her press -- this came from a Chinese newpaper - and is well worth reading in full.

. http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200104/18/eng20010418_67992.html

Here it is in part:

Daring to Shoulder Historical Responsibility: Way to Become Big Political Power

" The event of Japan's tampering with the history textbook has stirred up an unprecedented wave of condemnation of Japan by various Asian countries, Italy, which is far off on the continent of Europe, has also shown extensive concern over the matter. A local media commentary says the revised Japanese history textbook "has stricken fear into the hearts of the people in the once Japan-occupied countries. For the people of various Asian countries, this is just like the German history textbook which denies the Nazi acts of massacre".

. . . . . . .

" A look at Japan shows that its economic strength ranks second in the world, but its political influence is very insignificant. A contrast of Japan and Italy makes it easy for people to see that Japan to this date fails to get the world's forgiveness because it is weighed down by a historical burden, and it is Japan itself that is unwilling to shed this burden. A commentary of the Italian newspaper, the Republic, said, "Many Japanese are dreaming of making their country a 'normal' country which has the recognition of its neighboring countries and possesses political influence that matches its mighty economic strength. However, if Japan does not clear its own history and, instead, relies only on tampering with its history textbook, the dream of Japan will not come true."

" This remark has really come to the point. "

MANY countries, including the US, and Russia, and Communist China herself, could improve both themselves and the world by coming up to the standard this article sets.

It the US met this standard, a rational set of nuclear balances would be achievable quickly, and a more peaceful world could come. The US would have every right to expect the same from other countries.

rshowalter - 12:50pm Apr 18, 2001 EST (#2358 of 2359)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

I think the points I was hoping to make with respect to rshowalter 3/24/01 9:59am are relevant now. In general, and especially to the questions of "press freedom" and "press balance" that concern Russia, and nations that deal with her.

rshowalter - 12:55pm Apr 18, 2001 EST (#2359 of 2359)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Just a thought.

There are many colleges and universities in the U.S., and the possibilites for chaos and bad standards are great. And a cause for concern, since credentialling is so important in so many ways to so many people.

The situation is much better than it otherwise would be, because colleges and universites are audited by accredation organizations, that have themselves evolved according to careful discourse. These accredation- auditing organizations help all concerned define and maintain standards.

Sometimes, the complex cooperations involved in these accredation discussions are sophisticated indeed -- and I believe that on balance they are very well done.

If Russia's press ownership has the possibility for abuse (and what ownership pattern does not?) the concern is about the abuse potential , not the ownership standard itself.

Why not take steps to deal with valid concerns, under circumstances where ownership standards may not be ideal from all different points of view?

Could Russia ask for external audits, from time to time, about the honesty and balance of its press organizations, either individually or taken as a whole?

Such things take care and finesse -- but if they were properly and openly done -- such checking processes might go far to establish the legitimacy of the Russian press. And therefore the Russian nation. That would be worth a lot, in honor and money.

In the American tradition, Russia might approach a group of people - perhaps through a journalism organization of distinction -- perhaps the Pulitzer committee --, or some analogous European committee --- and offer to pay for the auditing. And have that auditing open, and periodically repeated.

(I'd like to have discussions of the review, open to all, on the internet -- as a gesture to a hopeful, more honest future.)

A lot of diffuse questions about press balance and corruption might come to be focused, with sound information brought to bear.

Then specific problems, specifically considered, might be specifically solved in harmony with general principles that the people involved understood and respected.

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