-Caveat Lector- Russia warns of new arms race http://www.nando.net/noframes/story/0,2107,500041741-500067793-500127480-0,00.html Copyright © 1999 Nando Media Copyright © 1999 Associated Press >From Time to Time: Nando's in-depth look at the 20th century MOSCOW (October 5, 1999 11:31 a.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - A missile defense system that the United States wants to build would prompt a Cold War-style arms race, mutual suspicion and uncertainty, a top Russian commander has warned. If the defense system is built, Russia may drop out of all disarmament treaties, close its borders to U.S. arms observers and begin stockpiling nuclear weapons, the commander of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces, Col. Gen. Vladimir Yakovlev, said in a newspaper interview published Tuesday. "We will fully withdraw from all inspection measures and will not let anyone close to our arms. Russia will not know what is going on in the United States. Americans will not know what is going on in Russia," Yakovlev told the daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Moscow staunchly opposes U.S. plans to amend the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty so it can build a limited missile defense system. Foreign Ministry spokesman Vladimir Rakhmanin on Tuesday also denounced the first test of the proposed missile defense system, saying it already violates the ABM treaty, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported. During the test Saturday, an unarmed Minuteman missile was launched from the Marshall Islands to intercept a missile fired from California. The missile defense system would protect the United States against nuclear missile strikes by terrorists or rogue nations, and not against an attack from a major nuclear power. But Russia insists the system would upset the strategic balance of powers. "If the United States throws out the 1972 ABM treaty, they will effectively become the culprit for a disruption of the process of limiting nuclear weapons," Yakovlev was quoted as saying. "All agreements that have been signed or are being prepared, will come under threat - namely, START-I, START-II and consultations on START-III." Russian officials have repeatedly warned of a new arms race if the missile defense system is built. But Russia is broke and can hardly afford a new arms race with the United States. Still, Moscow can afford to put multiple warheads on its new Topol intercontinental ballistic missiles - something it has refrained from doing in the past because of disarmament plans and obligations, Yakovlev said. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
