Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (L), Commander of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces Col.-Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov (C) and Defence Minister Anatoli Serdyukov visit cosmodrome Plesetsk, among the taiga forests of Russia's north, October 12, 2008. (RIA Novosti/Kremlin/Dmitry Astakhov/Reuters)From Yahoo News/AP:
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia will stop developing some strategic weapons if the United States drops plans for a missile shield in Europe, Interfax news agency quoted the commander of Russia's strategic missile forces as saying on Friday.
The remarks may be another step in Moscow's efforts to build ties with the incoming U.S. administration but also reflect difficulties Russia faces in financing its ambitious military programs at a time of global economic crisis.
"If Americans give up plans to deploy the third positioning region and other elements of the strategic missile defense system then certainly we will adequately respond to it," Colonel-General Nikolai Solovtsov said.
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My Comment: The main reason to install the "missile shield" was to counter the development of missile and nuclear technology from rogue states like Iran .... countries which Russia supports via through weapon sales and technology transfers.
The issue is not Russian weapon systems .... and the Russians know that. They are just preparing the groundwork for the Obama administration, and their stated desire to eliminate the U.S. missile shield program.
This is smart politics .... and plays to Obama's base.
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