Putin Warns Of Retaliation To Missile Plan
Russian Leader Says U.S.'s Planned European Missile Defenses May Prompt "Retaliatory Steps"
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Russia Hijacks G-8 Summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin will use the G-8 Summit as an opportunity to confront the U.S. about a planned NATO anti-missile defense system. Jim Axelrod reports.
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President Bush at the White House, May 31, 2007. He plans to host Russian President Vladimir Putin at his home in Maine in early July. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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Russian President Vladimir Putin presides a Security Council meeting in the Moscow Kremlin, Saturday, June 2, 2007. Putin warned in an interview published Sunday that U.S. plans to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe would force Moscow to find missile targets of its own in Europe. (AP Photo/ITAR-TASS)
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Speaking to foreign reporters days before he travels to Germany for the annual summit with President Bush and the other Group of Eight leaders, Putin assailed the White House plan to place a radar system in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in neighboring Poland.
In an interview last week, Mr. Bush said he explained to Putin that the new defense system was designed to protect NATO allies from a missile fired by Iran or North Korea, reports CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod. But neither Iran nor North Korea has a missile that can reach Europe, providing Putin with a way to confront the United States at a critical time for him.
"We are being told the anti-missile defense system is targeted against something that does not exist. Doesn't it seem funny to you, to say the least?" an irritated Putin said.
He added that the planned missile shield would cover Russia's territory up to the Ural Mountains.
"It would be funny if it wasn't so sad," he said.
Putin lamented that the planned system would be "an integral part of the U.S. nuclear arsenal" in Europe — an unprecedented step. "It simply changes the entire configuration of international security."
He said he hoped that U.S. officials would change their minds regarding the missile plan, warning that Moscow was preparing a tit-for-tat response.
"If this doesn't happen, then we disclaim responsibility for our retaliatory steps, because it is not we who are the initiators of the new arms race, which is undoubtedly brewing in Europe," Putin said.
"The strategic balance in the world is being upset and in order to restore this balance without creating an anti-missile defense on our territory we will be creating a system of countering that anti-missile system, which is what we are doing now," Putin said.
Last week, Russia tested a new ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads and a new cruise missile. While Western analysts said the system has probably been under development for several years, Putin has described the test as part of Moscow's response to the U.S. anti-missile plan.
Putin also suggested that Russia could respond to the threat by aiming its nuclear weapons at Europe.
"If a part of the strategic nuclear potential of the United States appears in Europe and, in the opinion of our military specialists will threaten us, then we will have to take appropriate steps in response. What kind of steps? We will have to have new targets in Europe," Putin said, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin. These could be targeted with "ballistic or cruise missiles or maybe a completely new system" he said.
Putin also suggested that in the absence of a real threat from Iranian and North Korean missiles, the U.S. plan could be an attempt to spoil Russia's relations with Europe.
In Iran's first official response to the U.S. missile-defense plan, Supreme National Security Council head Ali Larijani said "claims by U.S. officials that installing a missile defense system in Europe is aimed at confronting Iranian missiles and protecting Europe against Iran is the joke of the year," according to the state-run IRNA news agency.
"The range of Iran's missiles doesn't reach Europe at all," the agency quoted him as saying.
Relations between Moscow and Washington have soured in the past year. The two former Cold War foes are at odds over Washington's missile plans, Russia's conflicts with former Soviet nations — including Ukraine, Georgia and Estonia — and U.S. concerns of democratic backsliding in Russia.
Mr. Bush leaves Washington Monday on an eight-day, six-country European jaunt, including the G-8 meeting in Germany.
The president is beginning his trip in the Czech Republic, with a scheduled arrival in Prague Monday afternoon, and will wrap up his tour with a visit to Poland — the former Soviet satellites where he wants to base major parts of the new shield.
Visiting the two countries on the sidelines of the summit is likely to be taken in Moscow as a very deliberate snub by Mr. Bush.
"This is a distinctive message that is as easily understandable in Russian as it is in English," said Simon Serfaty, a senior adviser to the Europe program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "The message is that we're going to do what we're going to do, and your concerns about the deployment of some marginal capabilities designed for defense purposes in Central Europe are not going to impress me."
Besides the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland, Bush also has Italy, Albania and Bulgaria on his travel itinerary. He has meetings planned with at least 15 foreign leaders, plus the Pope, and his schedule isn't final yet.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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See all 89 CommentsI dont. Putins rocket bluffs are a grab for attention. He must feel pretty imputent, eh?
After the force they use to put down dissent against his rule, its pretty obvious that Putin seeks the old guards return over the Russian people.
The right time has come when U.S must bow before other countries.
Cina, India, Russia and Iran what a beautiful picture!
The only reason he didnt start this up 6 years ago was because of 9-11. He figured his rhetoric didnt stand a chance against the worlds attention on Iraq/Afganistan. Then he **** when we found thier hands in the cookie jar with Saddams cookies, eh?
Whats to say, Putins been working to reinstate socialism and communism into the Russian Government from the start.
It must drive Putin up the wall knowing USA plans to place a radar system in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in neighboring Poland. Putin threats are nothing. He is full of hatred that USA has such powerful negotiating capabilities with Czech Republic and Poland. USA must always be proactive. Let the ants be reactive.
Putin should enjoy his own dose of Polonium 210 with his potato vodka and the world would be a much better place.
soviets, and harbors allies of the folks who drove the Russians out of Afghanistan. Rather than encouraging the Russians (who didn't just disappear despite the delusions of the Raygunites in the late 80s) to join with the USA in controlling the Islamic bomb and containing Islamic fascism, the Bushshytes ignorance and arrogance has driven the Russians to look out for their own strategic interests--and they do still have the world's largest land army and 20,000 nuclear warheads, despite the droolings of the senile Raygun (while he was alive--may he rot in H*ll). Smoooth move, jackasses.
Posted by drummer94 at 08:32 AM : Jun 04, 2007
As much as I hate W I stand by him in this missile defense system. They are defensive weapons only Why is everyone getting so bent out of shape?
We have a god given right to protect ourselves from Islamists.
Posted by Glidescube at 09:02 AM : Jun 04, 2007
............
People are getting bent out of shape because Bush is risking global security/peace among the nuclear nations with some PIECE OF S.H.I.T missile "defense" shield.
They've been proven to be highly ineffective and inaccurate!
Plus, if Russia has developed new ICBMs to avoid these missiles, then we're just sticking toy rockets in the ground in Eastern Europe while risking the lives of tens of millions of innocent human beings!
(however, Bush'n Co. have demonstrated they don't give a rats a.s.s about life unless it's in some woman's womb).
The idea is, from the Russian perspective, a missile defense system might give the US the idea that they could initiate a first strike if we felt the missile shield could stop a Russian counterstrike. It's why we and the Russians have had ABM treaties since the 1970's - to ensure that MAD (mutually assured destruction) remains an equal deterent for both sides.
... our POS missile defense system wouldn't even it that either!
Bush has a very good chance of getting us in a major war, perhaps even WW III. Our army is devestated, our army equipment gone, our deficit huge and growing, our enemies multipling daily, our individual rights and freedoms eroding.
Bush is without question the ABSOLUTE WORST PRESIDENT IN OUR HISTORY. He is going to get us all killed. What a madman.
Posted by dogband at 09:19 AM : Jun 04, 2007
.............
You've said it best!
I'm using up as much vacation time as I can...
...spending it with my family, each and every one of them, while I still have time.
Yes, but we can do it without jepardizing global relations. Bush is unraveling that which president after president before him, Reagan included, had managed only by committing tremendous efforts to easing the cold war and smoothing global relations with other armed powers such as Russia.
Defending ourselves is one thing, destabilizing and alienating international relations with unrelated countries to our War On Terror is something entirely different.
Yes, but we can do it without jepardizing global relations. Bush is unraveling that which president after president before him, Reagan included, had managed only by committing tremendous efforts to easing the cold war and smoothing global relations with other armed powers such as Russia.
Defending ourselves is one thing, destabilizing and alienating international relations with unrelated countries to our War On Terror is something entirely different.
Posted by harp1963 at 09:45 AM : Jun 04, 2007
............
This is basically the beginnings of the Cuban Missile Crisis........ with the tables turned!
Except we don't have cooler heads from either country at this time.
Posted by harp1963 at 09:45 AM : Jun 04, 2007
............
This is basically the beginnings of the Cuban Missile Crisis........ with the tables turned!
Except we don't have cooler heads from either country at this time.
Posted by One_American
-Seems to all of us here this Axis-of-Evil is curving back to Washington D.C., pit-stopping at Walking-Liar'sButtock before making a final stop in your deepthroat One-HalfAmerican...
-You sound so ridiculously dumb to consider this great country that is Russia as part of anything evil. The Evil resides now in Washington and we need, as a great Nation to get rid of it soon. Yesterday! He's a real shame on our Nation.
Posted by kevboom at 09:25 AM : Jun 04, 2007
- Plenty of wisdom in here! Happy to promote your thoughts... ;)
give me a hell yes
or a hell no
Posted by One_American
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Return to what???? LOL , they were never a democracy! Oh they tore down a wall, let a few states go independent (while still having a noose around their necks), changed the their name and flag. Underneath, they are still the U.S.S.R. Look, it's still taking us over 200+ yrs to get this "democracy thingy" fine-tuned and it still has flaws. Do you really think they (Russia) were even in the "democracy" zone in such a short time span? You are soooooo funny! Welcome to the "Cold War" that never left!
Posted by harp1963 at 09:45 AM : Jun 04, 2007
Grow up and stop whining. It's a missile DEFENSE system....not nuclear tipped ICBM's pointing at Kiev or Moscow.
It's to prevent islamo-fascists (like Iran) from launching their nuclear rockets at us or our allies.
I know you'd rather have "the world" feel better about us than care about our soverignty or defense, so why don't you take another hit off the bong and leave the tough stuff to people who do this for a living.
- I mean all this resource could be directed to live in mutual understanding and mutual needs fulfilling instead of competing for each others' resources.
-It takes only a moron such as the one we have in the White House to behave as such now.
Bush isn't really evil. He's merely stupid and arrogant. But not evil. Cheney, on the other hand...
Infidel, time to take your medication again. Your generalizations about liberals are so yesterday, could you at least come up with something fresh?
I have never wet the bed and I love my country so much I am willing to stand up for it against the hate, the name-calling, and the bullying of my own fellow countrypersons from the other side of the aisle who seem content to let evil stand.
In the end, my conscience will be as clean as my sheets. :)
Peace, brah
So true. Some of these right wingers are like those parents who let their kid do whatever they want and be annoying and pi$$ everyone off because they allow their kid to be a spoiled brat. If you love your kid, you discipline them so they don't become arrogant jerks. Likewise, if your country does wrong, you say so and wish it would do better.
Righties can't seem to understand that concept. They think love of country means to ignore anything wrong it does, even if it hurts the country.
Bush isn't really evil. He's merely stupid and arrogant. But not evil. Cheney, on the other hand...
Posted by Rafterman1
-Thanks for the precision. Cheers!
Breaking internal treaties on torture has only lead to escalation. The same is now true for nuclear arms.
You can bet some GOP insider already has the contract to build these new missile in Eastern Europe. The war profiteers can not profit without war of fear of war.
I believe liberals are a parasite.....they live off those of us who work and give nothing in return.
How's life in The South, the land of the most hate-filled morons and bigots in America. I'll bet you're also an ex-military welfare recipient!
I guess when Putin comes to visit, he and GW and Cheney will go hunting.
Posted by mdc76082 at 11:33 AM : Jun 04, 2007
mdc76082,,,
You think that's a good idea? For Putin to go hunting with Cheney? LOL, If I was Putin I would pass on that one, especially with tensions being the way they are!
I don't understand President Putin's empty threat, it's pure nonsense! President Putin is trying to give the impression Moscow's missiles are hard coded with targets and need to be re-programmed for new targets. Complete nonsense, Moscow can re-program its missiles to any target in the world in a matter of seconds and it knows it! This is 2007 and not 1960. nice try!
B) Putin is purposely antagonizing the West and it appears trying VERY hard to provoke a Nuclear war in Europe and over the ocean with these New ICBMS that are supposed to be technologically and Tactically superior to anything either they or we have in place now.
C) why wouldnt we want to put in a missile defense system PRIOR to Iran or North Korea gaining the missile technology? and as a matter of fact, They are being sold military equipment and technology regularly by Russia and China. ...duhhhh?? can we say two superpowers joining forces against the US and our interests to dominate through a new Era of fear?
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