|
|
|
|
-----------------
|
Russia in defence warning to US BBC Russia may stop implementing a key defence treaty because of concerns
over US plans for a missile shield in Europe, President Vladimir Putin
said. He also hit out at an influx of foreign money which he said was being used to meddle in Russia's internal affairs. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice dismissed Russian concerns over the missile shield as "ludicrous". But BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Mr Putin's speech marks a significant upping of diplomatic stakes. The Russian president accused Nato countries of failing to respect the
1990 Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE), which limits military
deployments across the continent. If there was no progress at upcoming talks between Nato and Russia on the US missile defence plan, Russia would "look at the possibility of ceasing our commitments under the CFE treaty", he said. The US wants to station 10 interceptor missiles in Poland, with radar operations in the Czech Republic - which Russia strongly opposes. "The Russians have thousands of warheads. The idea that you can somehow stop the Russian strategic nuclear deterrent with a few interceptors just doesn't make sense," said the US secretary of state in Oslo, ahead of a Nato-Russia meeting. 'Meddlers' Mr Putin also hit out at those who he said were using democracy as a pretext to interfere in politics. "There is a growing influx of foreign cash used to directly meddle in our domestic affairs," Mr Putin said. "Not everyone likes the stable, gradual rise of our country," he said. "There are some who are using the democratic ideology to interfere in our internal affairs." He did not specify those responsible, but in the past Russian authorities have accused the West of funding groups that oppose the government. He also called for a moment of silence to commemorate former President Boris Yeltsin, who he said had laid the foundations for a changed Russia. He called for a library to be established in Mr Yeltsin's name. Other highlights included: praise for Russia's economy, which he said was now one of the 10th largest in the world a funding boost for state housing, using some of the proceeds from the
auction of bankrupt oil giant Yukos He reiterated his pledge to step down in March 2008, after serving two terms as president. ---------------------------------------------------
Prison Planet.tv: The Premier Multimedia Subscription Package: Download and Share the Truth! Please help our fight against the New World Order by giving a donation. As bandwidth costs increase, the only way we can stay online and expand is with your support. Please consider giving a monthly or one-off donation for whatever you can afford. You can pay securely by either credit card or Paypal. Click here to donate. |
