Russia To Set Up Missiles Near Poland

President Medvedev Says Short-Range Missile Positions Necessary To Counter U.S. Plans

(CBS/AP)  Russia will deploy short-range missiles near Poland to counter U.S. military plans in Eastern Europe, President Dmitry Medvedev has warned, setting a combative tone that clashed with global goodwill over Barack Obama's election.

In his first state of the nation speech, Medvedev blamed Washington on Wednesday for the war in Georgia and the world financial crisis and suggested it was up to Washington to mend badly damaged ties.

Medvedev also proposed increasing the Russian presidential term to six years from four - a change that could deepen Western concern over democracy in Russia and play into the hands of his mentor, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who has not ruled out a return to the Kremlin.

Extending the presidential term could mean a possible 12 more years in the top office for the popular Putin.

Echoing Putin, who made criticism of Washington and the West a hallmark of his two-term, eight-year presidency, Medvedev used the speech in an ornate Kremlin reception hall to cast Russia as a nation threatened by encroaching American military might.

"From what we have seen in recent years - the creation of a missile defense system, the encirclement of Russia with military bases, the relentless expansion of NATO - we have gotten the clear impression that they are testing our strength," Medvedev said.

He signaled Moscow would not give in to Western calls to pull troops from Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, or rescind its recognition of their independence following the August war.

"We will not retreat in the Caucasus," he said, winning one of many rounds of applause during the televised 85-minute address.

Talking tough, he fleshed out long-promised military measures in response to U.S. plans for missile defense facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic, former Soviet satellites now in NATO. The Kremlin claims the system is meant to weaken Russia, not defend against Iran, as Washington insists.

Medvedev, seen at left, said Iskander missiles would be deployed to Russia's western enclave of Kaliningrad, sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania, "to neutralize, if necessary, a missile defense system."

The Iskander has a range of about 175 miles, which would allow it to reach targets in Poland but not in the Czech Republic - but officials have said its range could be increased. Medvedev did not say whether the missiles would be fitted with nuclear warheads.

Russia will also deploy electronic jamming equipment, Medvedev said.

After the speech, the Kremlin announced Medvedev had congratulated Obama for winning the U.S. presidency, saying in a telegram he was "counting on a constructive dialogue with you on the basis of trust and taking each other's interests into account."

In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack emphasized that the planned missile defenses were not aimed at Russia.

"The steps that the Russian government announced today are disappointing," McCormack said. "But, again, this is not directed at them. Hopefully one day they'll realize that."

Medvedev appeared to be trying to improve Russia's bargaining position in potential talks with the Obama administration on missile defense. His wording suggested Russia would reverse the decision if the U.S. scraps its missile defense plans.

"Moscow isn't interested in confrontation, and if Obama makes some conciliatory gestures it will respond correspondingly," said Alexander Pikayev, an analyst at Moscow's Institute for World Economy and International Relations.

But independent military analyst Alexander Golts said Medvedev's "confrontational tone" could further harm relations with the United States, which plunged to a post-Cold War low over the war in Georgia.

"Russia itself is cutting off the route toward better ties," he said.

Regional leaders criticized Medvedev's missile warning. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said it was "certainly the wrong signal at the wrong time" and urged the U.S. and Russia to see change in the White House as an "opportunity for a new beginning."

Medvedev suggested the U.S. must make the first move to break the chill. The Kremlin hopes the incoming administration "will make a choice in favor of full-fledged relations with Russia," he said.

In addition to calling for a six-year presidential term, he said parliament's term should be extended to five years instead of four and its power over the executive branch increased.

Both changes could strengthen the hand of Putin, who can run for president again in 2012 and now heads the dominant United Russia party.

[Keith Geddes]

Here we go again. Fact is nothing much is going to change. NO ONE is any different.. Putin WILL still be around, sabre rattling.. the comment about missiles in Poland, at least the U.S. can keep an eye, made me laugh. The U.S. has stock piles everywhere, so whats the difference. If the UK wasnt strategic the U.S. would have no interest in it. Obvious? The UK IS first strike target. And I`m up the road from a centre.. so..fine. I dont want to know.. and wont have to.

[downsteamjim]

Obama will probably agree to let the Russians set up missles in Chicago so we can keep a better eye on them.

[edintex]

prometheus41:
Its moronic ignorance like yours that allowed 911 to happen because morons like you thought a terrorist strike like that could never happen here.

Now we are told by the new "geniuses" like you that we should believe that nobody really wants to hurt us, there is no danger and everything is our fault and we are the bad guys; "just ask everybody else".

Since you hate America soooo much, why dont you just move away? Our country would be far better off without morons like you....

[lochlan-2009]

"Russia will deploy short-range missiles near Poland to counter U.S. military plans in Eastern Europe"

In other words, the arms race (continued defense contract spending), GAME ON!!!!!

[presjfk]

Rahrter than set up missiles on its border with Poalnd, Russia would be better served with a sincere apology to Poland for it occupation of the country for 40 years. It could also offer some reparations even if a token amount, strengthen diplomatic, cultural and business ties. It is time for Russia to join the Western world and tear down the walls it keeps trying to rebuild.

[erasmus81]

Uh-oh, they are back.

[yongamerica]

Russia''s return to its Communist past is being steered by Putin and his KGB buddies. The US invited Russia to actively participate in the missile detection radar net but they flatly refused. Even though the US granted them full access to all the sites and all the collective data. Because Russia refused to participate the US was resigned to building a radar site in Poland.

If Russia has no hostile intents, why is it protesting? Russia is like the car thief protesting traffic cameras.

[pensacola98]

We can''t expect to treat our former presidents CIA Director and Son of CIA Director as anything but wary. Both used military force. Both have intimate ties to war-making interests.

Russians have a huge fear of experiencing a repeat of WWII when they signed a non-agression treaty just to see it violated.

[drinuk]

So What ! The war mongering nuts in the Republican Party encouraged the situation in Georgia, want missiles in Poland and interfere with Russian business, Just what do we expect the Russians to do, they certainly ''aint gonna thank us. We deserve all we get for our behaviour over the last eight years.

And NOW ladies and Gentlemen, before you very eyes, Obama is squaring up to Iran ! JEEEEEZZ

[displeased]

the pathetic libs still obsessed with Bush...sad
Posted by jamesm12341

What''s sad is we can''t get rid of his a$$ until January 20th...and the problems his failed policies created will last for years. Sad indeed.

[krotec54]

So, Obama will be tested with the Russians. How would he stop the %u2018Russian expansion%u2019? Will Obama put the U.S. in another war within the first three month? Or will we look weak to the rest of the world? Will Obama sidestep the economy and other campaign promises for a third war in the Middle East and increasing foreign aid to Africa? Or will he be impeached for his involvement with ACORN and the housing problems? Or will we pay dearly for such a choice that the far left media believed to be the Messiah that could do no wrong, or no worst than what Bush has accomplished. The Honeymoon will be over soon and he will be a total embarrassment to the world.

[hotpaulie]

With the U.S. foreign policy these last 8 years it is no wonder Russia is stepping up its bold agendas. If we can do it why can''t they? These are things that should be THOUGHT over and DISCUSSED before "pre-emptively" striking a country.

[antoniof123]

Thank you conservatives for nothing. I for one will never again vote for a Republican they have lied and need an enemy to hate. I am sick of hate enough is enough.

God I can''t wait until we are rid of every last one of them next year.

[navyjimfl]

That''''''''s why our President is the world''''''''s top leader - to keep people like Putin and his cronies at bay! Let''''''''s hope Obama is up to the task he now finds himself facing. Posted by zhynaryll at 09:21 AM : Nov 06, 2008

HA HA Too late zhynaryll...your hero is headed for the history books as the biggest loser and criminal who ever lived in the whitehouse

[heero78-2009]

Why didn''t sarah Palin warn us??

[missingamerica]

The Russians will do what they think is best for them - and we need to do what is best for us. If that brings some confrontation - so be it! That''s why our President is the world''s top leader - to keep people like Putin and his cronies at bay!

Posted by zhynaryll at 09:21 AM : Nov 06, 2008

Russia is not stupid.

When Russia thinks of "confrontation", they think of what it takes to win:

a) Industry to build sufficient weapons fast enough

and

b) energy to move your military machine

and

c) The ability to protect your logistical train

So they look at America, and they see that

a) America''s industry is in China

and

b) America''s energy comes from the Middle East, while Russia can tap their own sources

and

c) It is a long, long way to Russia, China, and the Middle East - and the Russians have plenty of know-how and the money to create the cheap but effective missiles necessary to reduce America''s ability to move men, war material, and oil to dusty memories.

Greed has reduced America to the status of the fabled "paper tiger", when it comes to "confrontations" with the likes of Russia. Or China.

Unfortunately, America is full of people who cannot see reality - but who scream for "confrontation" nonetheless.

[redtrash]

American aggression has had no boundary under the Bush/Cheney crime family. This so called missile defense system was supposedly a deterrent against Iran. If so, it could easily have been placed in Iraq, or in Israel. John McCain would have been a disastrous choice for dealing with this scenario.

[pirmin3]

Well, Shooter and Shrub put a system on their border aimed at them so they are perfectly justified in doing the same.

[pensacola98]

Cold War mentality is a difficult pattern to leave.

[vsg4]

"Who was one of America''''s greatest war profiteers? Prescott Bush, little Georgie''''s grandfather.

Posted by harp1963 at 08:56 AM : Nov 06, 2008"

I thought Prescott Bush was banker. Good to know that he was in arms market too. This is the legacy of republican government always. Increase defense spending cut medicare, mediaid , after school programs, public university funding and no regulation what so ever on financial industry ( remenber grandpa Prescott Bush was banker & senator and once said he could have president had he started political career early.), reject SCHIP ofcourse cut taxes to top 1% of the income earners. All war funding by barrowing ( internal debt risen from 5.7 trillions to 11.4 trillions including bail out).

Now Russia raises it''s head due to billion dollar surplus it is sitting due to inflated crude oil, natural gas exports ( thanks to Prez. Bush). Now new President must face all these. Great legacy of Prez. Bush. It''s affect will be felt for next whole generation.