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Russia's ABM Initiatives
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|  Treaty
between the United States of America and the Union
of Soviet Socialist Republics on the limitation of
anti-ballistic missile systems (May 26, 1972)
Press releases
Publications |
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YABLOKO
leaders had a meeting with Bundestag deputies
Press Release, March 16, 2012.
YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin and Galina
Mikhalyova, Executive Secretary of the Political Committee,
had a meeting with Bundestag deputies from the Free Democratic
Party. The German side was represented by Patrick Kurth,
MP, and Serkan Toeren, MP, and Maximilian Spinner, Secretary
of the Political Department of German Embassy.
Deputies of German Parliament were interested
by the progress and assessment of the Russian parliamentary
and presidential elections, growth of public activity
in Russia and prospects of Russia’s political development.
The discussion also evolved around the Russia-EU relations
and Germany’s role in their improvement. "Visa-free
regime for the Russian citizens to the EU and an anti-ballistic
missile defence system that could be developed jointly
with NATO are the initiatives of our party that we put
forward as early as in 1990s," Sergei Mitrokhin stressed.
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| Sergei
Mitrokhin discussed with US Ambassador Michael McFaul
the issue of joint Russian – US ABM system
Press Release, January 17, 2012.
YABLOKO Chairman Sergei Mitrokhin participated
in the meeting of representatives of the Russian opposition
with new US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul.
“I spoke to Ambassador about the need to continue the
dialogue on the problems of joint Russia-US anti-ballistic
missile defence initiated by the YABLOKO party in the
end of 1990s,” Mitrokhin told the journalists after the
meeting...
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| Norwegian
liberals greeted proposals by YABLOKO’s leader on
closer cooperation of Russian and Europe with a storm
of applause
Press Release, April 4, 2011.
YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin
made a speech at a congress of Norwegian liberal party
Venstre on April 3, 2011. His speech was devoted to the
issues of European integration, Russia’s role in
this process, as well as problems Russia encounter in
its development as a democratic state. Over 500 people
were present at the congress: delegates of the Venstre
party and leaders of foreign sister parties.
In his speech Sergei Mitrokhin told to
his foreign colleagues about the history and the structure
of the YABLOKO party, as well as the liberal and democratic
values YABLOKO have been advocating for almost 20 years
already.
Sergei Mitrokhin also said that the approach
of the Western leaders based on Realpolitik had failed.
YABLOKO’s leader called the EU to develop a single
strategy in its relations with Russia: “The lack
of firm approach to Russia when liberal values or human
rights are concerned was regarded as a kind of carte blanche
by our elites. And now we all have what we have”...
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| Russian
Opposition Leaders Give Details Of Meeting With US Vice
President
Interfax, March 10, 2011.
...Grigoriy Yavlinskiy discussed with
Biden the prospects of setting up joint Russian-NATO missile
defence, and the internal political situation in the Russian
Federation, the Yabloko press service has told Interfax.
"Yavlinskiy regards joint missile defence as the
most substantial and promising aspect of Russian-US security
cooperation, which is importance not only for the two
countries but for the whole world," Yabloko press
secretary Igor Yakovlev said.
Touching upon the internal political situation in Russia,
the former party leader said that its main difficulties,
including the lack of vital democratic procedures, had
long been known. In this context, he believes that it
is important to realize that the issue that has to be
tackled is the replacement of the system created back
in the 1990s, and this is a much more complex and in-depth
process than the change of personalities in power...
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| Grigory
Yavlinsky discussed with US Vice President Joseph Biden
the prospects of a joint Russia-NATO ABM system and political
situation in Russia
Press Release, March 10, 2011.
Development of Russia-US strategic relations
on the basis of the mutual assured destruction (MAD) concept
had become outdated already long ago, such a statement
was made by Dr.Grigory Yavlinsky, member of YABLOKO’s
Political Committee, during the meeting with US Vice President
Joseph Biden.
According to Yavlinsky, we should all
abolish the old view on the Russia-US relations as a zero-sum
game, when a success of one of the parties means a defeat
of the other one...
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| YABLOKO’s
leader on the Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly
Based on Russian media reports,
December 1, 2010
YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin
expressed his disappointment with Presidential Address
to the Russian parliament, as Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev virtually failed to propose any measures in the
field of political reform. “He did not say a word
about the “glorified” United Russia party
and nothing was proposed in the field of political reform,
however, in an earlier statement the President had noted
that without such a reform we would not be able to overcome
the signs stagnation,” Mitrokhin said. “Only
cosmetic changes has taken place; whereas inequality of
the parties that will run in the parliamentary elections
has been maintained. In addition, the past regional and
municipal elections demonstrated that election fraud did
not reduce at all,” he noted...
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| Nuclear
Disarmament and Arms Control – Using the New Momentum
in the Debate for a “Global Zero”
Resolution of ELDR Congress, Helsinki,
October 13-15, 2010
submitted by FDP, Germany, and
YABLOKO, Russia
The European Liberal Democrat and Reform
Party, convening in Helsinki, Finland, on 13-15 October
2010:
ELDR welcomes the new drive in the debate
on nuclear disarmament and arms control that has been
neglected for too long. This progress is reflected in
particular in President Obama’s speech in Prague
and also in the debate on the declining importance of
nuclear weapons laid down in NATO’s new strategic
concept and in the successful conclusion of the 2010 Review
Conference on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
(NPT)... MORE
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| European
liberals’ Congress discusses relations between Russia
and EU
Press Release, October 14, 2010
Today, on October 14, a congress by the
European Liberal Democrats party (ELDR) opened in Helsinki.
YABLOKO is a full member of ELDR. A welcoming address
to over 500 delegates of the Congress was made by Annemie
Neyts-Uyttebroeck MEP, ELDR President, and Mari Kiviniemi,
Prime Minister of Finland. In her speech Mari Kiviniemi
dwelled upon relations between Russia and Finland stating
that Russia was “the key economic partner for Finland”.
Prime Minister of Finland expressed her opinion that one
of the main problems for Russia at present was overcoming
Russia’s dependence on raw. Mari Kiviniemi also
expressed her hope that Russian-Finnish cooperation will
be broadening in all the spheres: economy, education and
culture, humanitarian exchanges and other...
In his speech ... Sergei Mitrokhin told
about the situation with the recent elections in Russia
and also discussed a number of YABLOKO’s foreign
policy initiatives... |
On
Iran’s Nuclear Problem
Resolution by the Political
Committee of the YABLOKO party. October 6, 2009
The Russian United Democratic Party
YABLOKO expresses its deep concern in view of the
new aggravation of the situation around Iran’s
nuclear problem.
A secret construction of the second Iran’s uranium
enrichment plant, which the world public has learned
about, shows that Teheran continues its course towards
challenging the UN, as well as regional and global
security. New tests of ballistic missiles, including
medium-range Shahab-3, have shifted the crisis into
a dangerous phase...
Iran’s procession of nuclear
weapons presents considerable threats for the national
interests of Russia, the USA, the EU countries and
the entire civilised world. Russia can not allow being
turned into a target of nuclear blackmail from another
neighbouring state...
The Russian United Democratic Party
YABLOKO thinks that it is high time for Russia to
take a principled position, stop lulling itself about
Iran’s intentions, as well as break Iran’s
tactics of playing on discrepancies between the great
superpowers and using Russia in its own interests
contradicting to the international security goals...
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| YABLOKO’s
Political Committee determined the tasks of the responsible
opposition in modern Russia
Press-Release, September 26,
2009
A meeting of YABLOKO’s Political
Committee took place on September 26. The Committee
developed the goals of the party in modern Russia.
YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin
indicated in his report to the Committee that a system
of bureaucratic cronyism developed in modern Russia.
Its goal is to maintain in power one and the same
ruling group for an unlimited period of time.
“Supporting a number of President
Medvedev’s recent statements on the need of
modernisation in Russia YABLOKO states that their
realisation is incompatible with the real goals of
this system,” Mitrokhin said.
Mitrokhin expressed his certainty
that this system “can lead Russia to stagnation
reminiscent of the stagnation of the Brezhnev period
in the USSR, when the political elite lost the chance
to conduct modernisation of the USSR, thus dooming
it to disintegration”.
According to Mitrokhin, the task of
the opposition is to offer an alternative to the political
course of the country present leaders, such as building
of a modern state based on democratic institutes and
procedures.
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| On
the need of further steps for creation of a joint
Russian-European ABM system
Statement by Chairman of the
Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO, September
21, 2009
The Russian United Democratic Party
YABLOKO considers that urgent conclusion of multi-lateral
agreements on creation of an anti-ballistic missile
defence (ABM) system for Europe jointly with the USA,
NATO and the European Union is a challenging and strategically
important task for Russia.
Implementation of this project is
of global significance. At the expected rates of nuclear
missile proliferation, the number of potential threats
of missile attacks against Russia, the US, Europe
and any country of the world will only broaden. A
joint ABM system of the technologically developed
states and Russia as a country with one of the largest
nuclear missile potentials will become the most important
element for protection of the planet from nuclear
threats in the 21st century. For Europe creation of
ballistic missile defence (BMD) jointly with Russia
will represent the first large step towards creation
of such a system and will be also important for raising
the efficiency of nuclear non-proliferation policy.
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YABLOKO
supports the decision of US President Barack Obama
not to deploy ABM system in the Czech Republic
Press Release, September 18,
2009
The Russian United Democratic Party
YABLOKO thinks that the statement made by US President
Barack Obama on abolishing of the plans to deploy
elements of the ABM system in the Eastern Europe opens
new opportunities for the Russian-American strategic
partnership.
“This is a correct decision
made by President Obama, it wipes away the issue which
has been continuously producing unnecessary tensions
and makes space for constructive cooperation between
Russia and the USA in strengthening of the European
security,” that is how Sergei Mitrokhin, leader
of the YABLOKO party, commented on the US decision
to abolish plans on stationing US radar in the Czech
Republic.
Sergei Mitrokhin also noted that “signs that
the approach of the new US administration as regards
deployment of the ABM system in the Eastern Europe
would be rational” appeared during President
Obama’s visit to Moscow in July.
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Sergei
Mitrokhin and Barak Obama discussed the Russian ABM
system
Press Release, July 7, 2009
“I am currently reconsidering the issue
of ABM deployment in Europe. I can not rule out joint
actions with Russia in this field. But that will be
another security architecture,” that’s how US President
reacted on the proposal of YABLOKO’s leader Sergei
Mitrokhin to abolish plans of unilateral deployment
of ABM systems in Europe and consider organisation
of a joint Russian-American ABM system.
YABLOKOs
leader proposes a joint Russia-US BMD project at the
meeting with Barak Obama
Press Release, July 7, 2009
Strategic partnership
and a joint Russia-US BMD system were the key points
of Sergei Mitrokhin’s speech at the meeting with US
President Barak Obama which took place in Moscow today,
on July 7.
Speaking about the possibilities of
implementation of the strategic partnership idea Sergei
Mitrokhin noted that “today we have a favourable moment
for supporting the idea with real actions”.
From
a joint ABM system to strategic partnership
Press Release, July 7, 2009
Supporting declarations of strategic
partnership by definite actions and improvement of
understanding of each other represent the urgent tasks
of Russia-US relations from the point of view of the
YABLOKO party. Such statements are made in the document
handed by Sergei Mitrokhin, YABLOKO’s leader, to President
of the USA Barak Obama during their meeting on July
7.
Position
on Some Important Strategic Issues of Russian-American
Relations
Moscow, July 7, 2009
Certainly, there are prerequisites
for full-scale cooperation, as both Russia and the
USA largely belong to the European culture and civilization.
The tragedies of the 20-th century have split our
world, however, the policies of the 21st century have
to bring it together again on the basis of shared
values. This requires much effort, but the result
is worth it. The good will of our society (rather
than a history’s whim or a blind chance) made possible
the deconstruction the totalitarian system. This fact
demonstrates that freedom and democracy are as important
for the Russian citizens, as for the Americans. Whatever
complicated situations we have to face in the future,
it should be borne in mind that Russians are the people
capable of understanding Americans. The main thing
which the US President can do here is to try to understand
Russia and its people.
SERGEI
MITROKHIN’S SPEECH AT THE MEETING WITH US PRESIDENT
BARAK OBAMA Key Notes
Moscow, July 7, 2009
Discussion of strategic partnership
between our countries has been held for a long time,
however, little has been done for realization of this
goal. Today we have a favourable moment for
filling the idea with real actions. Cooperation in
solution of international and global problems in many
fields is on the agenda now. We think that such cooperation
could become a real alternative to the neoimperialist
projects and approaches that are today “en vogue”
with the Russian political and military elite.
Grigory
Yavlinsky expects a breakthrough in military and political
issues during the summit meeting of Vladimir Putin
and George Bush
Press Release, May 22, 2002
The leader of the YABLOKO party Grigory
Yavlinsky expects first and foremost a breakthrough
in military and political issues during the summit
meeting of Vladimir Putin and George Bush.
After
meeting with Condoleezza Rice, Grigory Yavlinsky declared
that the US had acknowledged the urgent need to create
a non-strategic Russian-European ABM
Press release, July 26, 2001
America acknowledges the acuteness of the creation
of non-strategic Russian-European anti-ballistic missile
defence (ABM) system involving the US, said the leader
of the Yabloko party and its parliamentary faction
Grigory Yavlinsky in an interview with the Interfax
agency on Thursday.
Yabloko
considers the statement of US President George Bush
on ABM an invitation to negotiations
“These should be negotiations on the
prospects for strategic stability in the world,” said
Deputy Head of the Yabloko faction Sergei Ivanenko
in an interview with the press on May 2, 2001.
Press release,
02.05.01
Grigory
Yavlinsky proposes negotiations according to the “4+1”
formula to obtain “some improvements” in the ABM Treaty
of 1972
The leader of the Yabloko
Association Grigory Yavlinsky proposed holding negotiations
according to the “4+1” formula between the USA, Russia,
Great Britain and China to achieve “some improvement”
in the ABM Treaty of 1972. This proposal is contained
in the Memorandum of Grigory Yavlinsky made for participants
of the Tripartite Commission conference in London
(a non-governmental forum uniting famous politicians
and businessmen) on March 11, 2001.
Press Release, 12.03.01
Grigory
Yavlinsky: Russia may be left on the roadside
“To establish an effective anti-missile "umbrella"
over Europe, radars should therefore be deployed on
almost half of Russia's territory,” said the leader
of Yabloko Grigory Yavlinsky on March 6, 2001 in an
interview with the Argumenti i Fakti weekly. “It is
necessary to cooperate on behalf of common security.
One of our conditions should be placement of NATO
orders at our enterprises.
Yabloko
supports the recent initiatives of the RF President
on the creation of the European Non-Strategic Anti-missile
Defence System
According to Ivanenko,
Yabloko is convinced that "the creation of the Russian-European
non-strategic ABM system could become the first stage
in the revival of the Russian military-industrial
complex and economy in general."
Press Release, 21.02.01
Grigory
Yavlinsky: Russia and Europe should create a joint
ABM system while cooperating here with NATO and the
USA
Russia and Europe should create a
joint anti-ballistic missile system that offers protection
from medium-range and tactical missiles while cooperating
with NATO and the United States.
Press Release, 12.02.01
Grigory
Yavlinsky advocates the creation of a joint Russian-European
ABM system
Yavlinsky also reminded the press
that proposals to create a Russian-European ABM system
were first formulated at the end of 1997. Then the
initiative was discussed by Yabloko’s leader and representatives
of the former US administration, in particular Vice-President
Albert Gore and State Secretary Madeleine Albright.
Press Release, 31.01.01
Grigory
Yavlinsky: Europe displays interest in the joint creation
with Russia of the European non-strategic anti-missile
defence system
Europe has demonstrated interest in the creation
jointly with Russia of the European non-strategic
anti-missile defence system.
This declaration was made by Yabloko leader Grigory
Yavlinsky after the meeting with the Prime Minister
of Sweden Goran Persson and Minister of Defence Bjorn
von Sudow on June 15, 2000.
Press Release, 15.06.00
Briefing
of Grigory Yavlinsky on the visit of US President
Bill Clinton to Moscow.
Moscow, the State Duma
Grigory Yavlinsky: The main purpose
of the visit of the President of the United States
to Moscow was to discuss issues related to the anti-missile
defence system. I think that these talks should be
continued with President Clinton until the elections
in the US, and then with the new President of the
United States.
Press Release, 06.06.00
Sergei
Ivanenko approves of the presidential initiative to
create an anti-missile umbrella nuclear shield jointly
with the USA
Deputy head of the Yabloko faction
Sergei Ivanenko approves of the President Putin-s
proposal to the USA on the joint creation of an anti-missile
defence system.
Press Release, 02.06.00
Vladimir
Lukin: the creation of a single anti-missile defence
system jointly with the five nuclear superpowers would
be the best solution
Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Vladimir
Lukin (from the Yabloko faction) thinks that the best
solution would be to begin negotiations between the
five nuclear superpowers v the USA, Russia, France,
Great Britain and China.
Press Release, 02.06.00
Alexei
Arbatov is certain that the START II Treaty will be
ratified
Deputy Chairman of the Defence Committee
of the State Duma Alexei Arbatov (the Yabloko faction)
thinks that there is a good chance the the Duma will
ratify START II treaty when it convenes on April 14,
2000.
Press Release, 14.04.00
The
Yabloko faction supports ratification of the START
II Treaty
In autumn 1994 when the State Duma
began debating ratification of the START II Treaty,
the Yabloko faction decided to support ratification
and has not changed its position since then.
Press Release, 13.04.00
Grigory
Yavlinsky: "Russia and Europe need a joint anti-missile
umbrella"
The leader of the Yabloko association,
Grigory Yavlinsky, advocates a revision of the Soviet-American
anti-missile defence treaty (signed in 1972) and the
creation of a joint Russian-European anti-missile
defence.
Press Release, 01.02.00 |
| Publications |
|
Russian
and European Modernisation
Speech by Sergei Mitrokhin
Liberal International Executive Committee
Berlin, June 11, 2010
Announcing a policy towards modernisation
in Russia President of Russia put himself in line
with a number of Russian rulers-reformers who aspired
to perform radical transformations in the country.
Some specific traits of this policy resemble those
of his predecessors. The President understands modernisation
primarily as acceleration of scientific and technological
development. With some reservations about the need
for political reform, the latter look like a number
of quite shallow and very systematic activities...
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| Grigory
Yavlinsky: no discords in the tandem
Grigory Yavlinsky’s
interview to the Radio Liberty
www.svobodanews.ru
September 22, 2009
Radio Liberty: Many Russian politicians
are enthusiastic about Barack Obama abolishing the
plans of deployment of the elements of the American
ABM system in Central Europe. Do you share such feelings?
Grigory Yavlinsky: No, I don’t,
as these missiles and the decision of deployment of
the ABM system adopted by President Bush did not threaten
Russia in any way. It had a symbolic meaning. What
Barack Obama did, was done because he was amending
an error made by george Bush, rather than yielding
to Russia, as President Bush’ decision was absolutely
inefficient - technically, economically and strategically.
He had enough courage to shelve the erroneous plan
created by George Bush.
R.L: How do you assess the reaction
of the Russian politicians who are speaking about
this as of a large diplomatic victory of Moscow then?
G.Y.: As immature, it stirs pity.
Such a reaction can not serve as a basis for further
development of reasonable, earnest, and, if we further
elaborate on this thought, grownup relationships with
the developed countries. In general this is a trade-in
approach – if you give something to me, then
I give something to you, if you take away your missiles,
we shall help you or will not help you somewhere in
Iran – such an approach to the world politics
is extremely primitive. Such approaches proved leading
to deadlocks and inefficient, but, unfortunately they
have been widely spread not only in Russia, but in
the West too...
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|
Mitrokhin:
Obama admits conflict-prone nature of the American
ABM
ITAR TASS, July 8, 2009 00:09
US President Barack Obama admits that deployment of
the US ABM system in Europe is prone of conflicts,
said Sergei Mitrokhin, leader of the YABLOKO party,
after today’s meeting of Barack Obama with the Russian
oppositions.
The
War against Terrorism and the Transformation of the
World Order, three perpesctives
By Alexei G. Arbatov, CEPS Commentary, November 2001
...two months later after the "Black September",
the weaknesses of the coalition and deficiencies of
the operation are becoming more and more evident,
as well as the confusion and inconsistency of the
United States and other major players in adopting
a new security strategy and still less in implementing
it... (Archive)
Under
a Single Umbrella
By
Alexei Arbatov, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, April 7,
2003
The unfolding drama of the war in Iraq has pushed
less sensational problems to the background, even
though these problems may be extremely important in
the long term.
U.S.
Withdraws From ABM Treaty; Global Response Muted
Arms Control Association. By Wade Boese. July-August
2002
A
Russian View. Interview with Alexei Arbaton on ABM
Treaty
pbs.org, August 14, 2001
Interview
with Alexei Arbatov, Deputy Chairman of the State
Duma Defence Committee on the ABM treaty
Ekho Moskvi Radio Station, June 13, 2002
Bush
Pushes On in Post-ABM World
Reuters, June 14, 2002
WASHINGTON -- Thirty years after taking effect as
a bulwark of Cold War deterrence, the Anti-Ballistic
Missile Treaty expired Thursday, freeing the United
States to pursue aggressively its goal of a multibillion-dollar
defense system against enemy missiles.
Russians
Ponder U.S. Relations
By JUDITH INGRAM, Associated Press
Writer, April 2, 2002
MOSCOW (AP) - Ahead of a Russian-U.S.
summit next month, Russians increasingly are asking
what rewards they have reaped from joining the U.S.-led
anti-terrorist coalition and where President Vladimir
Putin pro-Western policy is leading the nation.
Deputies
See Little New in U.S. Report
By Gregory Feifer Staff Writer, The
Moscow Times, March 12, 2002
In
what would amount to opening a new front in its war
on terrorism, the United States is considering sending
100 to 200 U.S. special operations soldiers to Georgia,
Legislators said Monday there was nothing essentially
new in reports that the United States is preparing
military contingency plans to use nuclear weapons
in certain tactical situations against at least seven
countries, including Russia.
Temporary
Friendship or Eternal Union?
 Obschaya
Gazeta, January 24, 2002
Our party has from the outset ultimately backed the
position expressed by President Vladimir Putin in
his television address to the nation on September
11, 2001, - solidarity with the US in the fight against
international terrorism, a course towards rapprochement
with the West and the establishment of a partnership
and preferably an alliance.
Putin:
U.S. ABM Withdrawal a 'Mistake'
By
Sarah Karush, Associated
Press, December 13, 2001
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the U.S. decision
to withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
a ``mistake'' Thursday, but said it would pose no
military threat to Russia.
Bush
Plans ABM Treaty Withdrawal
By Barry Schweid,
Associated Press,
December 12, 2001
President Bush told congressional leaders Wednesday
he will withdraw from a treaty considered a cornerstone
of arms control but one that hampers his quest for
a defense against missile attack.
Putin
silent as leaders vent fury over ABM opt-out
By Jon Boyle,
Reuters, December
13, 2001
Russian politicians roundly condemned on Thursday
Washington's impending departure from the ABM treaty,
but few expected President Vladimir Putin to make
a drama out of a crisis from which he should emerge
unscathed.
Russia
must remain in Europe, expert says
Rosbalt Information Agency,
July 24, 2001
Russian
Security or NATO Expansion?
By Alexei Arbatov
The project of restructuring the European political
system after the Cold War is full of contradictions,
a source of intellectual confusion and political uncertainty.
Radical changes in the military-strategic situation
on the old continent have created great temptations
for countries to take hasty, short-sighted steps which
could permanently damage the development of a new
system of collective security. At the same time, those
changes have generated new possibilities for more
constructive relations between states. How, then,
can we take advantage of these opportunities while
resisting the temptations?
U.S.,
Russia Meet Over Missile Shield
By Jim Heintz
The Moscow Times, May 14, 2001, p. 5
Coming to
ground zero of opposition to U.S. plans for a national
missile defense system, a high-level American delegation
met Friday with Russian officials to discuss the divisive
plan.
Bush
says Russia not enemy but could be threat
Reuters, March 13,
2001
President George W. Bush said on Tuesday
that his administration planned to make it clear to
Russian President Vladimir Putin that it did not see
Russia as an enemy, although it may be a threat.
Felix
Filippovsky: Language May Lead Russia and NATO into
an Alliance
Vremya MN, March 6,
2001, p. 3
Yavlinsky’s proposals on the Russian-European
non-strategic anti-ballistic missile defence system
were formulated three years ago. Today, they virtually
formed the basis of Russia's official doctrine.
Grigory
Yavlinsky: Umbrella for Europe, Money for Russia,
Death to Ben Laden
Argumenty i Fakty,
No. 10, 2001
In 1998, Grigory Yavlinsky was the
first Russian politician to raise the question of
a Russia-Europe non-strategic missile-defence system.
At that time many people considered the Yabloko leader's
initiative to be too revolutionary. Things have changed
only now Vladimir Putin proposes that Europe create
such a system. In the following article Yavlinsky
provides his own assessment of the meaning of the
Russian President's initiative.
Three
Years and the Whole ABM Story
Obschaya Gazeta, 22.02.01
...And what was the result? After
becoming acquainted with the letter, George Bush Jr.
transfers Yavlinsky's initiative to Russian-American
soil, and sends a letter to Putin on February 20,
proposing the involvement of the enterprises of the
Russian military-industrial complex in the creation
of ABM components. In the morning the Kremlin, obviously
frightened by such a radical wording of the issue
- which is extremely favourable in terms of propaganda
- urgently sets forth counter-initiatives to Europe,
again, in accordance with Yavlinsky's logic. The difference
is that Bush had been thinking over the answer for
three weeks, and the Kremlin for three years. The
very three years during which this protracted rivalry
over ABM could have resulted in an entirely different
outcome for Russia.
Putin
Touts Limited Shield to NATO
By Simon Saradzhyan, Staff Writer, The Moscow
Times, Wednesday, February 21, 2001. Page 1
"The Russian proposal deals with threats posed
by short- and mid-range missiles, while the American
system is intended to fend off intercontinental missiles,"
Arbatov said on ORT.
If
Grigory Yavlinsky were president...
Komsomolskaya Pravda, January 31,
2001, p. 6
The USA, Russia and Europe have a
right to defend themselves from non-strategic nuclear
weapons. The creation of a Russian-European missile
defence system is our political goal, and one of the
most important strategic priorities. Our military
analysts understand that a reliable anti-missile umbrella
cannot be created without using Russian territory,
from Russia's Western borders to the Urals.
How
China and Russia Are Reacting to NMD
St Peterburg Times N 640, Tuesday,
January 30, 2001
At Davos, a Chinese position is being
explored to agree to a level of U.S. missile defense
that would counter blackmail from rogue states - but,
in return for inspection rights given to the U.S.,
would not be overly effective against what China likes
to think of as its own nuclear deterrent.
In Russia, a similarly happy outcome is possible,
but the impetus is different from China's, because
the Russian regime is supremely confident of its political
stability, whereas China is not.
After
test fails, Russia again urges U.S. to drop missile
shield proposal
CNN World July 8, 2000
MOSCOW (CNN) -- Russian officials on
Saturday reiterated their opposition to the U.S. National
Missile Defense System after a key test of the program
by the Pentagon failed overnight.
Remarks
of Alexei G. Arbatov, Deputy Chair, Defense Committee,
State Duma of Russian Federation
Carnegie Moscow Center-sponsored
seminar on START-ABM Treaties, 24 May 2000
Russia, as you are aware, ratified
START II and the New York documents last April. The
United States ratified the START II Treaty in 1996.
Now we find ourselves in a quite strange situation.
Both the United States and Russia ratified START II,
but they ratified absolutely | | |
