...unlike those any other country possesses. Frankly, I think his statement is simply designed to increase Russian pride in Russia again. On the other hand, there have been persistent rumours on Russian ballistic missiles with scramjet powered last stages or re-entry vehicles...
In any case, here are some articles on the matter from and :
Putin Promises New Breed Of Nuclear Missile
In-Depth Coverage
17 November 2004 -- President Vladimir Putin said today that Russia is developing a new form of nuclear missile unlike that of any other country and unlikely to be matched by others.
The White House reacted calmly today to Putin's statement, saying it was not news to the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush.
Putin said he expects the missile to be in service in the next few years, but he gave no further details.
"We will continue to persist in consistently building up the armed forces, in general, including its nuclear component. We are not only doing research and successful testing of new nuclear missile-systems technologies," Putin told his armed-forces chiefs in Moscow today. "I am sure that, in the near future, these weapons will appear -- systems that other nuclear powers do not and will not possess."
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said earlier this month that Russia expected to test-fire a mobile version of its Topol-M ballistic missile this year and that production of the new weapon could be commissioned in 2005.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said U.S. President Bush and Putin had discussed the issue previously. McClellan noted U.S.-Russian agreements in place to reduce the two countries' nuclear arsenals and Washington's view of Moscow as a crucial partner in the antiterror battle.
"This is not something we look at as new," McClellan said. "We are very well aware of their longstanding modernization efforts for their military. I might point out that we have a very good relationship with Russia. The President and President Putin have worked very closely together to establish that relationship, and they have worked together to move beyond some of the issues of the past and developed an agreement to significantly reduce our nuclear arsenals."
McClellan suggested that close ties between Bush and Putin render alarm unnecessary -- but don't eliminate Washington's concern.
(AFP/AP/Reuters)
Copyright (c) 2004. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
DATE=11/17/04
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=US/RUSSIA (L-O) (CQ)
In-Depth Coverage
NUMBER=2-320496
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
/// EDS: Re-running to add dropped word in graf 5. Should be: "... missiles would be unlike any used..." Adding word "unlike" Also, in graf 7. Should read: "...the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation conference." Adding word "conference" ///
HEADLINE: US Not Alarmed by Russian Development of Nuclear Missile
INTRO: The Bush administration says it is not alarmed by Russia's announcement it is developing a new nuclear missile. Russian President Vladimir Putin says the program is part of efforts to improve Russia's armed forces. Correspondent Laurie Kassman has more from the State Department.
TEXT: U.S. officials are not expressing any surprise or alarm over President Putin's decision to develop new nuclear missiles.
State Department spokesman Adam Ereli says the Russian plans fall within the framework of the Moscow Treaty, which calls for the mutual reduction in strategic offensive weapons.
/// ERELI ACT ///
"So we do not perceive Russia's nuclear sustainment and modernization activities as threatening. And, what they are doing are fully consistent with our mutual obligations under the Moscow treaty."
/// END ACT ///
Pentagon officials says they are not alarmed either and will wait to see what is actually developed.
President Putin told a meeting of senior military leaders that Russia cannot ignore international terrorist threats or the need to develop new defenses.
///PUTIN in RUSSIAN and FADE ///
We will continue to build our armed forces and its nuclear components, Mr. Putin said and they should be put into service in the next few years. He added the new missiles would be unlike any used by other nuclear powers.
He did not provide details.
Mr. Putin's speech comes a few days before the Russian leader's meeting with President Bush in Chile during the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation conference.
Victor Kremenyuk is Deputy Director of the Institute of USA and Canada Studies in Moscow. He says the new missiles do not pose a threat to the United States.
///KREMENYUK ACT ///
"First of all I think that this is something which should be trusted because, yes, the Russians have the possibility to develop new types of weaponry in the strategic area."
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Putin's p |