Medvedev - "We Will React" - Political Fever

Comrade Joe · #1 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 09:24 PM

The empire should pick its enemies more wisely. Russia is no Iraq, it is no Afghanistan, it is no Cuba. Russia has the power to hit back in ways that the empires normally weak victims cannot.

Quote:

Russian president's vow to respond strongly to Washington's missile shield plan in Central Europe has displeased US officials, reports say.

Dmitry Medvedev, in a gritty speech to Russia's top diplomats on Tuesday, said that Moscow will vigorously defend its interests abroad and made clear that he would not soften the assertive policies that irked the West under his predecessor, Vladimir Putin.

He blamed the United States directly for chipping at the foundations of the security arrangements established in Europe at the end of the Cold War and said that it could collapse if the United States deploys the missile shield in Eastern Europe.

Medvedev added that Washington's reasoning "does not satisfy us". He asserted that the US plan to place a tracking radar in the Czech Republic and missile interceptors in Poland are not actually meant to neutralize Iranian threat but aimed to weaken Russia's nuclear deterrent.

"We will need to react to this adequately," he added.

"Russia has become stronger and is capable of assuming greater responsibility for solving problems on both a regional and global scale," Medvedev told over 200 Russian ambassadors and senior foreign ministry officials.

Moscow, sensitive to any Western military advance towards its borders, also opposes US-led moves to integrate ex-Soviet states of Georgia and Ukraine into NATO.

US Lieutenant General Henry Obering said the statements made by the Russian president are "increasingly aggressive".

Obering, who heads Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency, said, "There is actually no justification, in our eyes, for some of his statements and some of his concern about these sites".

Trying to allay Russia's concern, he said that the missile plan was aimed at countering a growing Iranian missile threat and not at Russia.

Obering said that the US is not exaggerating the Iranian threat. However, he argued a space-launch program announced by Iran could be used to develop the multi-stage technology needed for a long-range missile.

Press TV - Medvedev's retort irks Washington

Drakej · #2 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 09:30 PM

And America is no Iraq, Afghanistan or Cuba either. Just keep that in mind.

Comrade Joe · #3 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 09:33 PM

I am aware of what the empore is. It necer leaves my mind. All i am posting is that Russia cannot be bullied, not by the US or anyone.

Comrade Joe · #4 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 09:37 PM

This is a better article from Russia Today

Quote:

Russia will be forced to appropriately respond if the U.S. aggravates Eastern Europe by deploying its controversial missile defence system, President Dmitry Medvedev has told Russian diplomats. Medvedev has called for a truly open security system in the Euro-Atlantic zone.

"The deployment of elements of the U.S. global missile defence system in Eastern Europe is only aggravating the situation. We will have to respond appropriately and our American and European partners have already been warned," Medvedev said.

Medvedev stressed both Russia and the U.S. share responsibility for preserving strategic stability.

“It’s clear our common legacy cannot be kept if one of the sides destroys selective elements of this strategic structure. It doesn’t suit us,” Medvedev said.

He made the statement while addressing dozens of Russian ambassadors and diplomatic representatives in Moscow, during a biannual meeting.

The President has said that Russia wants to see the establishment of a multi-polar world where respect for international law would be ensured by robust international bodies.

“Any actions in breach of norms of international law are absolutely unacceptable. It's unacceptable when the universal idea of personal security which lays the foundation of national security is ignored,” Medvedev said.

The Russian President said some recent events can be classified as a violation of such norms, in particular the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence and the international recognition of the new state.

However any legal actions in this field can only be achieved through negotiation and in the case of mutual agreement of all the sides concerned, Medvedev added.

Medvedev introduced a set of new foreign policy guidelines which he says are based on the analysis of all modern trends in international affairs.

He said the protection of the rights of Russian-speaking people abroad is one of Russia's top priorities.

"The protection of those rights is an element of our common work," he said.

Medvedev has called on Russian diplomats to protect Russia's interests without confrontation.

"The world which has got rid of the Cold War cannot regain balance. Moreover, the slant towards the use of violent methods in a number of areas is increasing and we are well aware of that," Medvedev said.

Medvedev has also said Russia cannot accept individual countries' attempts to reanimate fascist slogans.

"Next year will mark 70 years since the beginning of WW2. We just cannot accept attempts to reanimate the advocacy of a 'civilising and liberating' mission of the fascists and their accomplices,” Russian President said.

Medvedev said it is tantamount to playing with fire – to understand this one must respect history instead of engaging in sly interpretations.

The leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry and the heads of the presidential administration, government members and representatives of various ministries and agencies engaged in international co-operation also joined Medvedev and ambassadors at the meeting.

RussiaToday : News : Medvedev: U.S. aggravating Eastern Europe

Drakej · #5 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 09:38 PM

And Russia cannot bully the US either. It is nice to see that Putin is still pulling them strings though.

Comrade Joe · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 09:46 PM

Russia is not trying to bully the US. It is simply looking to uphold post cold war peace agreements and not initiate a new arms race. We need less weapons not more.

Drakej · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 09:51 PM

I agree but Russia is firing up the cold war machine just as much as anyone else. I would be glad to see every Nuclear weapon destroyed but the chances of that happening in our life time is pretty much zero.

The Black Ghost · #8 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comrade Joe

I am aware of what the empore is. It necer leaves my mind. All i am posting is that Russia cannot be bullied, not by the US or anyone.

Medvedev and Putin are ridiculously paranoid. Everyone is not out to get them. Same with Chavez "America definaetly plans to invade, so were going to arm ourselves and beef up our military and get everyone all rialed up. Fight America! Fight America!"

Technocratic_Utilitarian · #9 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 04:16 AM

The missile shield really isn't made to defend against major powers anyway, so Russia has little to fear from it. The primary targets are rogue missiles or accidental launches. Russia still has an impressive arsenal that no shield would be able to stop it.

They are just sabre rattling.

Most major advanced nations are not going to hit each other with missiles anyway. They aren't that stupid.

Edit: I don't think it would be a good idea, necessarily, to eliminate nuclear weapons. Nukes are useful strategically. They are important components of modern arsenals.