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Missile Defense

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?

rshowalter - 08:52pm Jul 25, 2001 EST (#7437 of 7448)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

" Rushailo called the meeting ``constructive and substantive,'' and said it was the ``the next step'' in the process begun in Genoa.

" Rice was scheduled to meet with Putin on Thursday.

" Moscow opposes U.S. plans for a missile shield because it would violate the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which Russia sees as a cornerstone of global stability. The ABM treaty bans nationwide missile defenses, on the premise that neither country would strike first without protection from retaliation -- the principle of mutual assured destruction.

" The agreement to consult was seen by many as an indication the two sides may be moving closer. But some analysts suggest that Russia may be trying to use the talks to drag out the issue and keep the United States from going ahead with plans for the system. After returning from Genoa, Putin said he had ``confirmed our adherence'' to the ABM treaty.

" ``Here in Russia, I am sure, nobody will agree to liquidate the ABM treaty,'' said Pavel Felgenhauer, a military analyst. ``Naturally, they are trying to play for time.''

" The United States argues that it needs a national missile defense to protect itself against possible attacks by small hostile nations believed to be developing nuclear weapons.

" Rice flew to Moscow from neighboring Ukraine, where she said she had secured a government promise to halt weapons supplies to Macedonia.

" Ukraine is one of the main weapons suppliers to the Macedonian government, which has been battling ethnic Albanian rebels since February, and the United States says the arms supplies could jeopardize peace efforts in the troubled Balkan nation.

rshowalter - 08:55pm Jul 25, 2001 EST (#7438 of 7448)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

US Foreign Policy Charges Rejected By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/news/AP-US-Foreign-Policy.html

but there is a long, essentially uninterrupted string of

U.S. 'Go - It - Alone' Decisions By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-UN-Going-It-Alone-Glance.html

lunarchick - 01:16am Jul 26, 2001 EST (#7439 of 7448)
lunarchick@www.com

and he'll take the low road : 10 days by train ... ...

lunarchick - 01:20am Jul 26, 2001 EST (#7440 of 7448)
lunarchick@www.com

Putin seems to be shaping up as the world's number one re the wheelings and dealings diplomatic.

Washington BBC correspondent following the Bwsh Euro-tour noted that Bwsh is also learning his trade and ventured he may move from being a locked-in isolationist to a multilateralist.

lunarchick - 03:05am Jul 26, 2001 EST (#7441 of 7448)
lunarchick@www.com

Big Cat: Animals have their own MD system. Known as scent marking. Note here how the 'friendly cats' are happy more closely packed (as per friendly nation) than the unrelated, outsider, (rogue nation) cats.

Some situations are frightening. loom large, and create fear to the inexperienced. http://www.halo33.com/righttop1.jpg http://www.halo33.com/righttop1.jpg

Animals via sent marking cut out an area of territory that they can control and maintain.

The USA via global encirclement are setting out to monitor and control the world. If this is so. Then some of the arrogant abuse noted on this thread with regards to certain non-USA nations shows that there is a room for improved understanding and support of nations that require assistance with economic development.

Maslow noted a tiered heirachy of needs. Where does MD fit? It should be related to lower level security. And has become confused with an expression of National Self-esteem.

Yet how much self-esteem can the USA assume when the MD program is calculated in value for money terms.

The USA spends currently $1500 per head of population p.a. on MD. And what does it get back in return?

Can someone supply the list of Doesn't work items and projects that MD funding has been allocated to?

Seems like a long list!

Now if some smart Politician who wanted to be re-elected back into 'power' thought about how better to use $1500 per head of population - in her/his territory then voters would be interested.

Can expenditure on MD be justified when the USA has many unmet needs. When the
W O R L D has unmet needs -- and where -- with aid and help -- many embryo economies could start to flourish. Flourishing they would work in and trade with the USA, make alliances, partnerships, collaborations ... leading to jointly improved economies, lifestyles, and living standards.

If Bwsh were to take a ROUND world trip, and go walk-about in the poverty stricken areas of the world, he might see how better to allocate American funds.

Bwsh is seen as his father's puppet. He has enough cash in the bank not to want for anything. Rather than continue to create MD dollar churn towards companies his father has ( conflicts of )interest in ... Bwsh might determine he is in an office of power, and has the capacity to make a significant difference in the world.

It's a matter of setting priorities, setting them right, and setting out to help and assist the world to climb towards conditions where individuals can participate more fully to self-actualise.

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