Russian Missile "Blackmail" Won't Work, Czechs Say

[Purveyor]

WARSAW (Reuters) - The Czech Republic said on Tuesday it would not be intimidated by Russia over plans to site parts of a U.S. missile defense system on its territory and said attempts at "blackmail" by Moscow would backfire.

Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said threats by Russian officials over the plans, which would involve placing a radar system on Czech land and a missile battery in Poland, would only make Czechs more determined to defend themselves.

Russia's strategic forces commander, General Nikolai Solovtsov, said on Monday that Russia would be capable of firing missiles at the Czech Republic and Poland if the ex-communist states agreed to host the U.S. defense system.

He said any decision to fire would have to be made by the Kremlin, but that militarily it was possible to hit targets in both countries.

---end of excerpt---

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL2049536620070220

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. And Hadley's hurrying over there because of Putin's comments

about states rushing to defend themselves with nukes because of the US? Don't think so.

[donkeyotay]

2. Does this mean we're going to have to reset the Doomsday clock

to what, about 15 seconds to midnight?

Oh what the hell, I'm sure that with folks like Hadley in charge, nothing will go wrong. These guys are topnotch.

[Mudoria]

3. Good for the Czech's to not be

bullied by Russia. I guess memories haven't faded of Russian occupation and control after WW2.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

4. Not really bullying as i see it.

After all there is such a thing as cause and effect.
Cause: They build something that threatens Russia's ability to defend itself or retaliate
Reaction: Russia aims missiles toward what hinders it to defend itself or retaliate

Had i been in charge of Russia i would likely have gone for a similar stance myself.

[depakid]

5. There's also this little matter of the ABM treaty

When I was a kid, I was taught that Russia (the Soviet Union) couldn't be trusted to abide by its treaties. As I got older I watched as America unilaterally abrogated or refused to sign international treaty after international treaty.

Under far right Republican rule, America became a rogue nation- and as petroleum becomes ever scarcer and more expensive, countries that align themselves with the US may be in for a big surprise: America will stab them in the back. The majority here doesn't care about other nations in the world, and when push comes to shove, they'll support anything to continue with their wasteful ways and unsustainable "lifestyles." It's non-negotiable, you see.

[ohio2007]

6. The way I see it, this "Czech Foreign Minister " grew up under the hammer and sickle

That should speak volumes on its own. His country is not a puppet satellite any more.
I say good for him to stand his ground.


Hope his car doesn't mysteriously blow up some day....

[Big Pappa]

7. Or

gets poisoned