PRESS RELEASE
Russian Military in Pre-War Mode:
Medvedev Defends Russia, but
Offers Missile Defense Cooperation
Nov. 29, 2011 (EIRNS)—This release was issued today by the Lyndon LaRouche Political Action Committee.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev followed up his Nov. 23 address with an appearance in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, accompanied by the chiefs of all Russian military services, to oversee the commissioning of a new anti-missile radar station. Though construction started on the station two years ago, Medvedev put it squarely in the context of the threat posed to Russia by the US-led European missile defense system, but, as he had on Nov. 23, he left the door open to cooperation with the U.S. and NATO.
"We are ready to use the station's unique capabilities together with our partners to counter possible missile threats," Medvedev told his generals.
"Unfortunately, we do not sense the readiness of our American and European colleagues to join efforts with us. Moreover, the European missile defense system, which is currently being established, clearly encroaches on our interests and thereby causes significant problems for the security of the Russian Federation."
He noted that the Defense Ministry has launched the measures that he announced on Nov. 23 to counter the NATO system.
"I hope that our Western partners will view this step as a signal of Russia's readiness to give an adequate response to the threat posed by the missile defense system to Russia's strategic nuclear forces.,"
Medvedev also noted that the West has made oral promises that its system is not aimed at Russia. "These statements are made orally and unfortunately do not guarantee the protection of our interests," he said, but if NATO takes other steps, "naturally we will be ready to listen." However, "If our signal is not heard, then, as I said on Nov. 23, we will deploy other defense means, including the adoption of tough countermeasures and deployment of the main attack force."
The Kaliningrad region is the non-contiguous Russian enclave between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea, and as such, is the westernmost part of Russia, making it the best location for a radar to observe the rest of Europe. Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, who was also accompanying Medvedev, reported that the new radar will have a range of up to 6,000 kilometers (well out into the Atlantic Ocean), will be able to track 500 objects at a time, and will go on duty as part of the Russian Space Forces on Dec. 1.
Medvedev's entire statement is so completely characteristic of the pre-war stance of the Russian military over centuries, that it is included here. The accompanying photograph makes the same point.
