Putin: U.S. Policies Create Arms Race (Greek Turkish Affairs Forum)

Title: Putin: U.S. Policies Create Arms Race

Thermopyles - February 10, 2007 06:37 PM (GMT)

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By DAVID RISING

MUNICH, Germany Feb 10, 2007 (AP)— Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Saturday that the United States' increased use of military force is creating a new arms race, with smaller nations turning toward developing nuclear weapons.

Speaking at a conference of the world's top security officials, including the Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, Putin said nations "are witnessing an almost uncontained hyper use of force in international relations."

"One state, the United States, has overstepped its national borders in every way," he told the 250 officials, including more than 40 defense and foreign ministers.

"This is nourishing an arms race with the desire of countries to get nuclear weapons," Putin said, but did not elaborate on specifics and did not mention the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The Russian leader also voiced concern about U.S. plans to build a missile defense system in eastern Europe likely in Poland and the Czech Republic and the expansion of NATO as possible challenges to Russia.

"The process of NATO expansion has nothing to do with modernization of the alliance or with ensuring security in Europe," Putin said. "On the contrary, it is a serious factor provoking reduction of mutual trust."

On the missile defense system, Putin said: "I don't want to accuse anyone of being aggressive" but suggested it would seriously change the balance of power and could provoke an unspecified response.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates had little to say about Putin's remarks, noting only that "he was very candid."

Sen. Joseph Lieberman said Putin's charge that the U.S. "aspired to get unipolar power or acted unilaterally is just not borne out by the facts."

"Even our involvement in Iraq, certainly Afghanistan, is pursuant to United Nations resolutions," said Lieberman, I-Conn. "So that was provocative and wrong."

Putin's spokesman Dimitry Peskov said the Russian leader did not intend to be confrontational, but acknowledged it was his harshest criticism of the United States since he was elected in March 2000.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2865348

Socrates - February 12, 2007 05:40 AM (GMT)

I look forward to the EU forming some defence co-oporation.

Would like to see more balance in global affairs.Perhaps Russia the EU and China joining the US as global powers.

Thermopyles - February 13, 2007 01:23 AM (GMT)

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I look forward to the EU forming some defence co-oporation

I think we would, and did try, but US pressure stops us from forming such organizations. Also we don't want to get in an arms race with anyone. But such a move is necessary IMO...

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