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| Science & Technology |
| Missile Defense Success Cause Global Reaction |
| 2006-09-17 |
| The successful Sept. 1 test of a U.S. Ground-Based Interceptor is already having repercussions around the world. On Sept. 6, Alexanbdr Vondra, foreign minister of the Czech Republic, boldly stated that European members of NATO would have to build an effective anti-ballistic missile system in cooperation with the United States. "In the future, the North Atlantic Alliance and European states will not be able to avoid the construction of this system, and it is in the interest of Europe to build such systems in cooperation with America," he announced at a conference on ballistic missile defense in the Czech capital Prague. In a way, Vondra's comments come as no surprise. His prime minister, Mirek Topolanek, has already been strongly supportive of allowing the United States to build a base for the deployment of Ground-Based Interceptors, or GBIs, such as the one that was successfully tested on Sept. 1 within the territory of the Czech Republic. And the government of neighboring Poland, especially Polish Defense Minister Radek Sikorski, formerly the long-time head of the New Atlantic Initiative in Washington, is also very supportive of building bases in Poland to house GBIs that could defend his country -- as well as the other countries in the 25-nation European Union -- against possible ballistic missile attack. However, Vondra's remarks were a significant strengthening of the Czech position. And the issue has been a much more controversial political football in the Czech Republic than in Poland. Previous Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek argued that a national referendum must be held before the United States could be allowed to build a BMD base on Czech territory. By contrast, Topolanek has argued that such a vote should not be necessary. Clearly the successful U.S. test has strengthened Topolanek and Vonda's hand as well that of Sikorski and his colleagues in Poland. [..] |
| Posted by:3dc |
| #10 That's why the word "triangulating" is in my post, to distinguish which Europeans I'm talking about. Sheesh. All of Europe is going to have to get on board in the fight against terrorism before I'll ever approve of us sharing a bazillion dollar project to defend their spineless asses. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-09-17 17:31 |
| #9 Zenster - the Eastern Europeans along with the Brits have been strong and loyal friends. It's our Western Europeans 'allies' (especially France) that have been masters of duplicity. |
| Posted by: DMFD 2006-09-17 17:18 |
| #8 "Missile Defense Success Causes Global Reaction" I'll just bet it did - and not in the way the article means. There are a whole lot of dictato-clowns sitting around surprised and thinking they need to re-think their plans to attack us. Serves 'em right for believing the U.S. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2006-09-17 14:48 |
| #7 Don't lump the eastern Europeans with the westerners. The easterners have been backing the US in a whole bunch of different ways, and taking the heat from Chirac and co. over it. They also have a long memory of Moslems and their murderousness, and sure as hell don't want that sword over their heads again. But at the same time, they are still bitter as hell about the Soviet military occupation of their countries, and have a knee-jerk reaction to the thought of another foreign army, even totally friendly, being there. But don't confuse that with anti-Americanism. In fact, despite the occasional minor spat, if the Americans offered to set up a foreign legion filled with eastern Europeans, we could have a Corps set up overnight, and they would fight to the death for us. Poles, Czechs, Bulgarians, Hungarians, Albanians, the Baltic states and others. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-09-17 14:17 |
| #6 We should give missile defense to Iran, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela. Opps, I meant missile only. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2006-09-17 12:28 |
| #5 Yea as long as we pay for it and they have to give permission to use it, No thanks. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2006-09-17 04:19 |
| #4 I thought Poland sorta gave us the finger yesterday... The usual story; They were going to give us a hand but we got the finger instead. If I had a nickle for every time ... |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-09-17 02:41 |
| #3 Missile Defense Success Cause Global Reaction Jeeze can't win for losing, next they'll take a poll and tell us we're unpopular..LOL! Lets start a five way cat fight..LOL Tickets git yer Tickets for the Pentagon Smack Down! In this corner the Tuff EuroWieners Expert Hand Wringers. In this corner Super Donk anti-Star-War anti-War-Mongers. In this corner Pootie Poot Pouters a'Puffing. In this corner seething Muslim Shit Fitters. In this corner Kofi's Minions a'Clamoring, China, Kimmie, Castro, Hugo Scolding Earthly Arms Race. just bring it. |
| Posted by: RD 2006-09-17 02:18 |
| #2 LOL, Zenster. I'm so conflicted here... I thought Poland sorta gave us the finger yesterday... The Czechs... Hmmm. did I miss all the stories where they've been real cooperative and helpful? So we're getting there and actually pulling it off and suddenly everybody's our buddy? NATO or the EU in general? LOLOLOLOLOL... Yeah, right. Pull my finger... Again. |
| Posted by: flyover 2006-09-17 02:04 |
| #1 Alexanbdr Vondra, foreign minister of the Czech Republic, boldly stated that European members of NATO would have to build an effective anti-ballistic missile system in cooperation with the United States. Yeah, right, sure thing you trecherous triangulating European bastards. We've got your missile defense system right here. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-09-17 01:48 |