Russia: Poland risks attack due to U.S. missiles

[Lookout]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26203430/

Russia: Poland risks attack due to U.S. missiles
Infuriated Moscow issues threat in reaction to deal on interceptor base
 Chief U.S. negotiator John Rood, left, and Polish negotiator Andrzej Kremer seal the missile defense deal in Warsaw, Poland, on Thursday.
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Alik Keplicz / AP 

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updated 2:04 p.m. CT, Fri., Aug. 15, 2008
WARSAW, Poland - A top Russian general said Friday that Poland's agreement to accept a U.S. missile interceptor base exposed the ex-communist nation to attack, possibly by nuclear weapons, the Interfax news agency reported.

The statement by Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn was the strongest threat that Russia issued against the plans to put missile defense elements in former Soviet satellite nations. 

Poland and the United States on Thursday signed a deal for Poland to accept a missile interceptor base as part of a system the United States said was aimed at blocking attacks by rogue nations. Moscow, however, felt it was aimed at Russia's missile force.

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"Poland, by deploying (the system) is exposing itself to a strike — 100 percent," Nogovitsyn, the deputy chief of staff, was quoted as saying.

He added, in clear reference to the agreement, that Russia's military doctrine sanctions the use of nuclear weapons "against the allies of countries having nuclear weapons if they in some way help them." Nogovitsyn that would include elements of strategic deterrence systems, he said, according to Interfax.

At a news conference earlier Friday, Nogovitsyn had reiterated Russia's frequently stated warning that placing missile-defense elements in Poland and the Czech Republic would bring an unspecified military response. But his subsequent reported statement substantially stepped up a war of words.

Poland: Russia can inspect
Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski was quoted Friday by the Polish news agency PAP as saying that Poland was open to Russian inspections because it wanted to give Moscow "tangible proof" that the planned base was not directed against Russia.

U.S. officials have said the timing of the deal was not meant to antagonize Russian leaders at a time when relations already are strained over the recent fighting between Russia and Georgia over the separatist Georgian region of South Ossetia.

Russian forces went deep into Georgia in the fighting, raising wide concerns that Russia could be seeking to occupy parts of its small, pro-U.S. neighbor, which has vigorously lobbied to join NATO, or even to force its government to collapse.

"I think the Russian behavior over the last several days is generally concerning not only to the United States but to all of our European allies," said Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman, when asked about Russian threats against Poland as a result of the missile defense agreement.


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He also suggested that earlier U.S. offers for broad cooperation with Moscow on the missile defense program may be reevaluated considering the latest developments.

Patriot missiles part of deal
Under the agreement that Warsaw and Washington reached Thursday, Poland would accept an American missile interceptor base.

Washington said the planned system, which was not yet operational, was needed to protect the U.S. and Europe from possible attacks by missile-armed "rogue states" like Iran.

In an interview on Poland's news channel TVN24, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the United States agreed to help augment Poland's defenses with Patriot missiles in exchange for placing 10 missile defense interceptors in the Eastern European country.

He said the deal also includes a "mutual commitment" between the two nations to come to each other's assistance "in case of trouble."

That clause appeared to be a direct reference to Russia.

Poland has all along been guided by fears of a newly resurgent Russia, an anxiety that has intensified with Russia's offensive in Georgia. In past days, Polish leaders said that fighting justified Poland's demands that it get additional security guarantees from Washington in exchange for allowing the anti-missile base on its soil.

"Simply the existence of this installation increases Poland's security," Polish President Lech Kaczynski said Friday.

[Peter1469]

We live in interesting times.

[Mr. Dirlewanger]

We live in interesting times.

Russia's going to nuke Poland!   

[Mr. Dirlewanger]

Here is the scary threat:

He added, in clear reference to the agreement, that Russia's military doctrine sanctions the use of nuclear weapons "against the allies of countries having nuclear weapons if they in some way help them." Nogovitsyn that would include elements of strategic deterrence systems, he said, according to Interfax.

Somehow, the illiterate loons over at infowars have scared their teenage audience with tales of impending nuclear war.

[Lookout]

Here is the scary threat:

He added, in clear reference to the agreement, that Russia's military doctrine sanctions the use of nuclear weapons "against the allies of countries having nuclear weapons if they in some way help them." Nogovitsyn that would include elements of strategic deterrence systems, he said, according to Interfax.

Somehow, the illiterate loons over at infowars have scared their teenage audience with tales of impending nuclear war.

You sir are a fascist pig! The only loon around here is the oxygen thief called Mr. Dirlwanger.

[Mr. Dirlewanger]

Here is the scary threat:

He added, in clear reference to the agreement, that Russia's military doctrine sanctions the use of nuclear weapons "against the allies of countries having nuclear weapons if they in some way help them." Nogovitsyn that would include elements of strategic deterrence systems, he said, according to Interfax.

Somehow, the illiterate loons over at infowars have scared their teenage audience with tales of impending nuclear war.

You sir are a fascist pig!

Maybe...

[gorknoids]

Here is the scary threat:

He added, in clear reference to the agreement, that Russia's military doctrine sanctions the use of nuclear weapons "against the allies of countries having nuclear weapons if they in some way help them." Nogovitsyn that would include elements of strategic deterrence systems, he said, according to Interfax.

Somehow, the illiterate loons over at infowars have scared their teenage audience with tales of impending nuclear war.

You sir are a fascist pig! The only loon around here is the oxygen thief called Mr. Dirlwanger.

     You're a fucking slack-ass piece of shit who never has, and never will do anything worthy of mention.  You had your ass kicked all the way through 9th grade, which is when you showed the Establishment who as Boss and took off to Seattle.  You qualified for health care benefits because your mom went down on the woman from Social Services when she visited her in jail to discuss custody arrangements, and you are contributing to the national economy by recycling cardboard and keeping the Magic-Marker brand in business with your "Homeless and Hungry.  God Bless" signs.  Then there are the hunger strikes.  I've seen you in so many cities.  You sit on your ass in the middle of the busiest sidewalk in town threatening to starve to death if passers-by don't donate to your cause.  "Save the Whales".  "Save The Glaciers".  "Save The Lazy Motherfuckers Sitting Her In Dreadlocks And Filthy Clothes Beating On Congas!"

     Call yourself what you will.  Bohemian.  Activist.  Rebel.  I'll continue to call you dead wood.  Detritus.  Poster Child For Birth Control.

[Peter1469]

Here is another source on the US – Poland treaty.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08162008/postopinion/editorials/poland_chooses_sides_124721.htm 

I do not think that it represents a real threat to Russia; it however represents an extremely large knock to Russia’s prestige.  Many wars have been fought over similar slights….

Actually, as a specific military counter against a Russian nuclear attack, the US base is hardly effective. It's not operational, and its radar tracking system, to be installed in the Czech Republic, won't be in place for another four years.
Even with the enhanced security of top-of-the-line Patriot missiles, which are part of the deal, the Polish base would be small protection against a full-blown Russian strike.
Moreover, as the White House yesterday noted, "it's just not even logistically possible for it to be aimed at Russia, given how Russia could overwhelm it."


My favorite line:

"We have crossed the Rubicon," said Poland's prime minister.

This reminds me of the stink over a possible Russian move of nuclear bombers to Cuba.  The administration made a fuss for a day or two and then the media forgot about it.  Realistically, who cares if Russia has some nuclear bombers in Cuba?  We can easily shoot them from the sky or bomb them in their hangers.  But what are we going to do about the Russia nuclear subs off both coasts?  They haven’t gone anywhere since the end of the Cold War.   

[spunkloaf]

Here is the scary threat:

He added, in clear reference to the agreement, that Russia's military doctrine sanctions the use of nuclear weapons "against the allies of countries having nuclear weapons if they in some way help them." Nogovitsyn that would include elements of strategic deterrence systems, he said, according to Interfax.

Somehow, the illiterate loons over at infowars have scared their teenage audience with tales of impending nuclear war.

You sir are a fascist pig! The only loon around here is the oxygen thief called Mr. Dirlwanger.

     You're a fucking slack-ass piece of shit who never has, and never will do anything worthy of mention.  You had your ass kicked all the way through 9th grade, which is when you showed the Establishment who as Boss and took off to Seattle.  You qualified for health care benefits because your mom went down on the woman from Social Services when she visited her in jail to discuss custody arrangements, and you are contributing to the national economy by recycling cardboard and keeping the Magic-Marker brand in business with your "Homeless and Hungry.  God Bless" signs.  Then there are the hunger strikes.  I've seen you in so many cities.  You sit on your ass in the middle of the busiest sidewalk in town threatening to starve to death if passers-by don't donate to your cause.  "Save the Whales".  "Save The Glaciers".  "Save The Lazy Motherfuckers Sitting Her In Dreadlocks And Filthy Clothes Beating On Congas!"

     Call yourself what you will.  Bohemian.  Activist.  Rebel.  I'll continue to call you dead wood.  Detritus.  Poster Child For Birth Control.

What a vivid statement.  Did you borrow these scenarios from life?

[conley]

Here is another source on the US – Poland treaty.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08162008/postopinion/editorials/poland_chooses_sides_124721.htm 

I do not think that it represents a real threat to Russia; it however represents an extremely large knock to Russia’s prestige.  Many wars have been fought over similar slights….

Actually, as a specific military counter against a Russian nuclear attack, the US base is hardly effective. It's not operational, and its radar tracking system, to be installed in the Czech Republic, won't be in place for another four years.
Even with the enhanced security of top-of-the-line Patriot missiles, which are part of the deal, the Polish base would be small protection against a full-blown Russian strike.
Moreover, as the White House yesterday noted, "it's just not even logistically possible for it to be aimed at Russia, given how Russia could overwhelm it."


My favorite line:

"We have crossed the Rubicon," said Poland's prime minister.

This reminds me of the stink over a possible Russian move of nuclear bombers to Cuba.  The administration made a fuss for a day or two and then the media forgot about it.  Realistically, who cares if Russia has some nuclear bombers in Cuba?  We can easily shoot them from the sky or bomb them in their hangers.  But what are we going to do about the Russia nuclear subs off both coasts?  They haven’t gone anywhere since the end of the Cold War.   

agreed. russia can suck it.

[they call me MR. GRUMPY god damn it!]

agreed. russia can suck it.

finally you make sense.  you don't deal with aggression through appeasement.  if we allow fear to control our response than our worst fears will become our realities. (a mangled quote from somewhere)

[OswaldTheOsprey]

Here is the scary threat:

He added, in clear reference to the agreement, that Russia's military doctrine sanctions the use of nuclear weapons "against the allies of countries having nuclear weapons if they in some way help them." Nogovitsyn that would include elements of strategic deterrence systems, he said, according to Interfax.

Somehow, the illiterate loons over at infowars have scared their teenage audience with tales of impending nuclear war.

You sir are a fascist pig! The only loon around here is the oxygen thief called Mr. Dirlwanger.

Lookout: Please do not fall into the trap of the Trotskyite neocons and the Frankfurt School cultural marxists of using fascist as a pejorative term.

OswaldTheOsprey