Testing Obama? - Russia to place missiles near Poland
Update 1
09:11 GMT, November 7, 2008 In his first state of the nation speech, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned the U.S. and Eastern Europe on Wednesday that Russia will deploy short-range missiles near the Polish boarder if Washington proceeds with its missile defence plans in Eastern Europe. He announced to deploy Iskander missiles into Russia’s western enclave of Kaliningrad, “to neutralize, if necessary, a U.S. build missile defence system.”
“From what we have seen in recent years — the creation of a missile defence system, the encirclement of Russia with military bases, the relentless expansion of NATO — we have gotten the clear impression that they are testing our strength,” he said.
The Iskander-M is a short-range missiles with a range of about 280 kilometres (175 miles). The Iskander-M system is equipped with a solid-propellant single-stage guided missile 9M723K1 (SS-26 Stone) controlled throughout the entire flight path and fitted with a non-separable warhead.
It allows Moscow to reach targets in Poland. However, it would have to be upgraded to reach also targets in the Czech Republic.
At least five missile brigades deployed on Russia's western border will be equipped with new Iskander-M short-range missile systems by 2015, a Defense Ministry source said today.
Beyond that Medvedev said that Russia will also deploy electronic jamming equipment to counter the U.S. missile defence radar.
As reaction of this speech, U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack once again emphasized that the planned missile defence system is not aimed at Russia.
“The steps that the Russian government announced today are disappointing,” McCormack said. “But, again, this is not directed at them. Hopefully one day they’ll realize that.”
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticized Medvedev’s missile warning. He said it was “certainly the wrong signal at the wrong time” and urged the U.S. and Russia to see change in the White House as an “opportunity for a new beginning.”
The Czech foreign ministry described the announcement as "unfortunate", but the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, said it should be seen more as a political message. "In the event that the situation gets bad, the balance of power is already well known," Mr Tusk said. "So we should consider the announcement as a new political step, not a military one."
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation has voiced "serious worries" about Russian plans to place short-range missiles on its western border.
NATO spokesman Robert Pszczel said the alliance had concerns about the compatibility of the Russian plans with arms control "arrangements". "Moreover, placing of these Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region would not help NATO and Russia to improve their relationship," he said.
Also the EU criticizes Russian plans: "The presidency of the Council of the European Union expresses serious concern over the statement by President Medvedev on the deployment of the Iskander missile system in the Kaliningrad Region," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"This statement does not help in establishing a climate of mutual trust and improving European security, while we are seeking dialogue with Russia on security issues on the entire European continent, and Russia itself has made several proposals in that respect," the statement said.
The warning appeared intended to signal the Kremlin's priorities to the new U.S. president-elect and could serve as an early foreign policy test for Senator Obama, who has said he supports missile defences against Iran and North Korea but has criticised the Bush Administration for failing to consult allies about the shield, exaggerating its capabilities and rushing deployment for political purposes.
Medvedev said that Moscow is ready to work with the United States if it abandoned its "mistaken, egotistical and sometimes simply dangerous" policies.
Washington already singnalised that a new proposals to ease Russia's concerns over the planned deployment of 10 U.S. missiles in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic will be provided to Moscow.
Luca Bonsignore
