Putin Says Russia Would Counter Missile Defense

Putin Says Russia Would Counter Missile Defense

NewsMax.com Wires
Wednesday, June 20, 2001

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said if the United States constructed a missile defense shield over its territory and its allies, Russia would upgrade its nuclear arsenal with multiple warheads, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

"When we hear that some program or other will be carried out 'with or without us' - well, we cannot force anyone to cooperate with us, nor will we try to," said Putin. "We have offered to work together. If that is not needed, fine. We are ready to act on our own."

Putin made his comments Monday in a three-hour interview with nine news organizations, during which he elaborated on his feelings toward missile defense, Chechnya, his feelings toward President Bush and even U.S.-China relations.

He said he and Bush failed to reach a "common position" on a new strategic framework to replace the Cold War approach that still governs U.S.-Russian nuclear weapons doctrine, according to the Washington Post.

However, according to the Post, the Russian president did express interest in compromise and even collaboration on a nuclear defense shield, adding that he was open to revising, though not abandoning, the 1972 Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty, widely regarded as the cornerstone of modern-day arms control.

At the same time, he made it clear he was skeptical about missile defense after hearing Bush's case for why it is needed, the Post reported. In particular, Putin questioned the plausibility of attacks from rogue states such as North Korea, suggesting their missile technology is outdated and not capable of posing a serious danger to the United States for decades, if ever.

Bush and Putin met Saturday in Slovenia. Bush and Putin are to meet again next month in Genoa, Italy, during the G-8 meeting.

Despite their differences on defense, Putin appeared upbeat about his new relationship with Bush, referring to the president as his "partner" and "a nice person to talk to."

Speaking through a translator, though he has recently been practicing his English, Putin said: "The president now says that Russia and the United States are no longer adversaries; moreover they can become partners. … It is precisely from this standpoint that we should have a look at the entire package of previously concluded agreements between us."

In addition to the hot topic of missiles, Putin said he conveyed a message to Bush from Chinese dictator Jiang Zemin that China is ready to "forget about" the period of tensions following the April 1 collision of a Chinese fighter jet with a U.S. Navy surveillance plane.

Putin dismissed concerns about Russia's lack of press freedom and defended its position on Chechnya, where the former Soviet regime is waging its second war to keep the breakaway region under its control.

"When it comes to Chechnya, I am getting tired of repeating these things again and again. … It would appear that it takes a real dumb person not to understand."

Putin said he told Bush to consider a scenario in which "people invade the South" and want to take away "half of your state of Texas."