What was new on START Web site?
March, 2001
March 23, 2001
Western countries have misunderstood Russia's proposal for a European missile defense system:On Russian proposals for a European missile defense system see also:
- Russia downplays European defence, (Russia Journal, March 13, 2001)
- Arms Diplomat Says Russia Ready for U.S. START Talks, (By Reuters, Russia Today, March 12, 2001)
On Russian reaction to the US NMD deployment plans see also:
- Russia shows its missile defense cards, - In Russian, (by Alexander Shaburkin, Vremya MN, March 13, 2001)
- European Missile Defense System: Concept and Development Steps -- official proposal of Russian Federation (in Russian)
- Russia suspends dismantling weapons, (Dana Lewis, MSNBC.com, March 11, 2001)
- "National" or Not, Missile Defense Still a Threat, (By Agence France Presse, Russia Today, March 12, 2001)
- State Duma Analysts Seeking Response to U.S. NMD Deployment, (By Military News Agency, Russia Today, March 16, 2001)
- Sergeyev criticizes NMD, NATO plans, (Russia Journal, March 18, 2001)
- From Russia With Chutzpah: A Missile for NATO, (Jim Hoagland, International Herald Tribune, Monday, March 19, 2001)
- Moscow Fails to See any Threats to Validate NMD Deployment, - In Russian, (By Dmitri Chernogorsky, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, March 21, 2001)
- Moscow's Offense Against US Missile Defense, (By Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, March 14, 2001)
Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov, head of the Defense Ministry's international cooperation department, said Russia would not immediately abandon the key 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty even if it saw Washington violating it: Russia Won't Dump ABM if U.S. Deploys Missile Shield, (By Reuters, Russia Today, March 13, 2001)
American and Russian military experts believe that US won't be able to deploy an effective NMD in near future: "Star Wars" at Dear Cost, - In Russian, (By Boris Talov, Rossijskaya Gazeta, March 16, 2001)
Technical problems with a new Boeing Co. rocket that's supposed to carry the warheads of the U.S. missile defense system have delayed its first flight by at least four months: Boeing Rocket Flaws Delay Missile Defense Program, (by Tony Capaccio, Bloomberg.com, March 22, 2001)
Donald Rumsfeld and Sergey Ivanov confidently drive Russian-American relations to a new «cold war» with quite predictable consequences for today's Russia: Do Russians Want a «Cold War»? - In Russian, (By Andrey Piontkovsky, Obschaya Gazeta, March 7, 2001)
"The wrong NMD would be worse than none at all," supporters of the NMD deployment warn: Do a Missile Defense, but Do It Right , (By James Lindsay, Michael O'Hanlon, Los Angeles Times, March 19, 2001)
On reaction of other countries to the US NMD deployment plans see also:The United States assured allies it would help them develop defenses against long- and short-range missiles:
- East Believes in Russia and Supports the ABM Treaty that US Intends to Trample On, - In Russian, (By Andrei Krushinsky, Parlamentskaya Gazeta, March 13, 2001)
- Germany Offers US and Russian Mediation on NMD, - In Russian, (Strana.ru, March 14, 2001)
- Beijing anxious for talks on shield, (By Julie Chao, The Washington Times, March 15, 2001)
- Beijing Eases Stand On Missile Defense, (By John Pomfret, The Washington Post, March 15, 2001)
- Bush Is Due to Meet Chinese on Crucial Issues, (By Michael R. Gordon, The New York Times, March 19, 2001)
- China Against "Great Missile Wall", - In Russian, (By Dmitri Privalov, Trud, March 21, 2001)
- Russia and France Ready to Work on Missile Defense for Europe, - In Russian, (By Igor Korotchenko, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, March 21, 2001)
- Allies Keep Balking At US Missile Defense, (By Brad Knickerbocker, Christian Science Monitor, March 9, 2001)
- American Missile Defense is not "National" Any More, - In Russian, (Strana.ru, March 8, 2001)
- US Defense Secretary Will Not Call Missile Defense "National" Any More, - In Russian, (Lenta.ru, March 9, 2001)
- U.S. Assures Allies on Missile Defense, Security, (By Reuters, Russia Today, March 9, 2001)
- NATO Secretary General Reports EU View Shifting On Missile Defense, (By Kerry Gildea, Defense Daily, March 8, 2001)
A retired American spook claims that Russia violated the 1972 ABM Treaty and keeps doing so: Does Russia Already Have A National Missile Defense? (By Melanie Kirkpatrick, Wall Street Journal, March 6, 2001)
On March 4, 1961 the first ever successful interception of a long-range ballistic missile warhead occurred: Soviet Union Won First Round of Star Wars, - In Russian, (By Mikhail Khodarenok, Nezavisimoe Voennoye Obozrenie, March 23 ìàðòà, 2001)
Russia is prepared to discuss tactical nuclear arms during future strategic arms reduction talks : Ivanov Outlines Moscow's Ideas for START III Talks, (RFE/RL, March 12, 2001)
The Bush administration is studying changes to America's arsenal of offensive nuclear weapons that, in their own way, would be as radical a departure from past policies as the erection of a national missile defense: Bush Probes Radical Warhead Cut, (By Peter Grier, Christian Science Monitor, March 13, 2001)
US Tests of Intermediate Range "Hera" Missile Violate INF Treaty: Who is Under Attack by «Hera», - In Russian, (By Valeri Agarkov, Parlamentskaya Gazeta, March 22 ìàðòà)
US insists that Russia moved nuclear weapons into Kaliningrad region, Moscow denies:
- 2 Reports: Kaliningrad Has Arms, (By Doug Mellgren, The Moscow Times, March 12, 2001)
- Russian Foreign Minister Says: "No nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad Region", - In Russian, (SMI.ru, March 9, 2001)
- Russia Reasserts No Nuclear Weapons in Kaliningrad, (Russia Today, March 9, 2001)
Russia accused of breaking Comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty: Minatom: No Covert Nuclear Tests in Russia, - In Russian, (By Dmitri Safronov, Strana.ru, March 14, 2001)
Debate heats up on the bill on importing spent nuclear fuel:
and of Nuclear non-proliferation regime: US Accuse Russia of Breaking Non-Proliferation Regime, - In Russian, (By Alexei Tamilin, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, March 17, 2001)The European Union will help Russia to decommission its nuclear submarines:
- Chained to Nucleus, - In Russian, (By Valentina Svetlova, Andrei Gubanov, Expert, February 27, 2001)
- Russian MPs fight nuclear fuel import bills, (Rashid Alimov, Bellona, March 12, 2001)
- Nuclear Bill Debate Heats Up, (By Yevgenia Borisova, The Moscow Times, March 21, 2001)
- Cash-poor Russia lobbies for nuclear waste, (Susan B. Glasser, Washington Post, March 17, 2001)
- Federation Council Chairman Slams The Importing of Spent Nuclear Fuel to Russia, (Interfax, March 7, 2001)
- They Will to Fight for the Import, - In Russian, (By Albert Vasilyev, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, March 22, 2001)
- Nuclear Waste Bill Goes for Key Vote, (By Yevgenia Borisova, The Moscow Times, March 22, 2001)
- Atom Radiates Pessimism, - In Russian, (By Sergei Leskov, Izvestia, March 23, 2001)
- Nuclear Abstention, - In Russian, (By Yekaterina Kats, Segodnya, March 23, 2001)
- EU Offers to Help Russia Dispose of Nuclear Submarines, (By Agence France Presse, Russia Today, March 16, 2001)
- Submarine clean up to cost dlrs 1.5biln, (Russia Journal, March 15, 2001)
Minatom proceeds to implementation of a project on building first in the world floating nuclear power plant: Floating Atom, - In Russian, (By Yekaterina Kats, Segodnya, March 15, 2001)
Head of Minatom speaks on the problems and prospects of the industry: Yevgeni Adamov: "Nuclear Complex Rather Alive, Although Survived Several Amputations", - In Russian, (By Vitali Tretyakov, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, March 20, 2001)
Washington irritated by plans of military-technical cooperation between Moscow and Tehran:US programs that pay to help Russia reduce and safeguard its nuclear weapons and materials have been targeted by the Bush administration for cuts:
- "Irangate", or Gate to Iran, - In Russian, (By Valeria Sycheva, Segodnya, March 14, 2001)
- Contented Moscow and Angry Washington, - In Russian, (By Vladimir Skosyrev, Vremya MN, March 15, 2001)
- Moscow Says Remarks By U.S. Resurrect 'Spirit Of Cold War', (By Patrick E. Tyler, New York Times, March 21, 2001)
- Perestroyka in American Way, - In Russian, (By Yekaterina Kats, Segodnya, March 17, 2001)
- Star Wars-2: Scenario is Ready, - In Russian, (By Yevgeni Verlin, Vremya MN, March 17, 2001)
- Bush Targets Russia Nuclear Programs for Cuts, (By Walter Pincus, The Washington Post, March 18, 2001)
US abandoned the long-standing policy against using commercial nuclear reactors for nuclear weapons production: While no one was looking The U.S. government said it would never use commercial reactors to produce weapon material. Guess what? (By Kenneth Bergeron, Bulletin of Atomic Scientisits, March/Arpil 2001)
Pakistani nuclear program will probably be suspended: Pakistan Without Bomb? - In Russian, (By Yevgeny Antonov, Vremya Novostey, March 14, 2001)
March 6, 2001
Friendly talks between Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov and US Secretary of State Colin Powell showed that although Washington and Moscow still retain deep differences on many issues, they are interested in a dialogue over missile defense:
- Russia's Proposals Outdo Even NMD's Fantasies, (by Alexander Golts, The Russia Journal, March 5, 2001)
- Ivanov and Powell Got into Contact, - in Russian, (by Dmitri Gornostayev, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, February 27, 2001)
- Powell, Russian Say Arms Experts Should Meet, (by Alan Sipress, The Washington Post, Sunday, February 25, 2001; Page A21)
- U.S. and Russians Meet on Defenses Against Missiles, (by Jane Perlez, The New York Times, February 25, 2001)
- Powell, Ivanov in Friendly Talks, But Deep Differences Remain, (by Agence France Presse, Russia Today, February 25, 2001)
- Ivanov,Powell Discuss Defense at First Direct Talks, (by Reuters, Russia Today, February 25, 2001)
- U.S. Agrees to Clinton-era Arms Talks With Russia, (by Reuters, Russia Today, February 25, 2001)
Observers underscore that from the Russian proposal on the Europe-wide missile defenses US picked-up only one thing: Moscow admits the ballistic missile threat from the "rogue states":
- BMD Again, - in Russian, (by Dmitri Gornostayev Dipcourier, March 1 2001)
- Dialogue over BMD, - in Russian, (by Alexander Golts, Itogi, February 27, 2001)
- Lulling Russia , - in Russian, (by Vasili Safronchuk, Sovetskaya Rossiya, February 27, 2001)
- Bush Understood Putin in His Own Way, - in Russian, (by Dmitri Gornostayev, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, February 24, 2001)
See also: Russia Can Be Our Ally On Missile Defense, (by Ivo H. Daalder and James M. Lindsay, The New York Times, February 27, 2001)
South Korea had consulted with the United States on the contents of the Korea-Russia Joint statement that caused controversy over Seoul's alliance with Moscow against the U.S. national Missile Defense (NMD) initiative, well ahead of its issuance, government officials said yesterday
- US Okayed Controversial ABM Statement, (by Oh Young-jin, Korea Times, March 2, 2001)
- South Korea Now Pulls Back From Russia on Missile Shield, (by Don Kirk, The New York Times, March 2, 2001)
- News Analysis: Russia May Help Persuade North Korea to Give Up Missiles, (by Patrick E. Tyler, The New York Times, March 1, 2001)
- South Korea Takes Russia's Side in Dispute Over U.S. Missile Defense Plan, (by Patrick E. Tyler, The New York Times, February 28, 2001)
- South Korea Leader Backs Russian Stance on ABM, (Russia Today, February 27, 2001)
Russian Minister of Defense Igor Sergeyev strongly refuted statement made by his subordinate Lieutenant-General Vyacheslav Romanov, head of the General Staff national center for nuclear threat reduction. The day before, Romanov told a news conference that in response to the U.S. National Missile Defense Deployment Russia will not only reconsider a number of international treaties in the sphere of strategic weapons, but also rebuild its arsenal of intermediate and shorter-range missiles, which was completely eliminated in accordance with the 1987 INF Treaty:
- Pruning the "Topols", - in Russian, (by Oleg Odnokolenko, Segodnya, March 2, 2001)
- Russia Capable of Rebuilding Nuclear Shield, (by Military News Agency, Russia Today, March 2, 2001)
- Intermediate and Shorter-Range Peace-Keeping Initiative, - in Russian, (by Yuri Cherenega, Kommersant, March 1, 2001)
- Russian Generals Test European Nerve, - in Russian, (by Alexander Shaburkin, Vremya MN, March 1, 2001)
On possible Russian steps in response to US deployment of NMD see also:
- Klebanov: We Can Beat NMD, (by Nikolai Pavlov, The Moscow Times, March 5, 2001)
- Russian: We Can Beat ABM Defense, (by The Associated Press, Friday, March 2, 2001; 4:36 p.m. EST)
- Resigns Over NMD - Good, Doesn't Resign - Who Cares!, - in Russian, (by Leonid Nikolayev, Sovetskaya Rossiya, March 1, 2001)
- Putin and Bush Ready for a New Arms Race, - in Russian, (by Yelena Shishkunova, Gazeta.Ru, March 1, 2001)
- Putin Praises 1972 Nuclear Treaty, (by Christopher Torchia, The Washington Post, February 28, 2001)
- BMD Paradox from a Former FSB Director, - in Russian (SMI.ru, February 26, 2001)
- Anti-missile Shields Cannot be Totally Effective, Russian General Says, (by Agence France Presse, Russia Today, February 25, 2001)
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov noticed new nuances in US approach to the START-BMD problem - speaking on missile defenses, president George Bush does not use the word "national" any more (Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov's Answer to a Question from Russian Media in Connection with the Pronouncements of President George Bush in the U.S. Congress on START/ABM Problems , March 2, 2001)
Russian MFA declared full support for the position over BMD stated by Chinese representative at the Geneva UN Conference on Disarmament (Russian MFA Official Statement, March 1, 2001)
In a report to Congress Pentagon states that sea-based nation-wide defense can not be ready in five years, while last week GAO published a report, that questions possibility of deployment of SBIRS-Low satellite system, the NMD key element, on schedule.
- «Star Wars» Postponed by Five Years, - in Russian (by Yelena Shishkunova, Gazeta.Ru, March 3, 2001)
- GAO Shoots Holes In Plan For Deployment Of Missile Defense System, (by Paul Richter, Los Angeles Times, March 3, 2001)
- Sea-Based Missile Defense Not Ready For Five Years, Tester Says, (by Tony Capaccio, Bloomberg.com, March 2, 2001)
- Defense Acquisitions: Space-Based Infrared System-low at Risk of Missing Initial Deployment Date, (GAO-01-6, February 28)
Washington's striving for extension of nuclear deterrence not only on Russia, but also on countries striving for weapons of mass destruction can ruin the process of further reduction of nuclear arsenals: Relic of the Era of Confrontation, - in Russian, (by Vladimir Lyubetski, Krasnaya Zvezda, March 2, 2001)
40 years ago, on March 4, 1961,combat crews of the Soviet Armed Forces implemented interception of a ballistic missile warhead for the first time in World history:
- Birth of Our BMD , - in Russian, (by Anatoli Antipov and Alexander Manushkin, Krasnaya Zvezda, March 3, 2001)
- The Meeting Point Can Not be Changed, - in Russian, (by Anatoli Dokuchayev, Krasnaya Zvezda, March 3, 2001)
- Married to «Annushka» , - in Russian (by Alexander Dolinin and Andrey Pochtarev, Krasnaya Zvezda, March 3, 2001)
- Russia Marks 1961 Anti-missile Test, Slams U.S. NMD, (by Reuters, Russia Today, March 3, 2001)
- First Round of "Star Wars" Won by Soviet Union, - in Russian, (by Mikhail Khodarenok and Sergey Sokut, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, March 2, 2001)
Strategic command exercises of the Russian Armed Forces held on February 13-16 made few reports in Russian media:
- Russia Won the War, - in Russian, (by Sergey Sokut, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, February 24, 2001)
- The Russian military’s exercises in futility, (by Alexander Golts, The Russia Journal, February 24, 2001)
- Leap over the Pole Heading "Zero", - in Russian, (by Boris Talov, Rossijskaya Gazeta, February 23, 2001)
On possible confidence building measures in the field of tactical nuclear weapons see: Who Really Wants Baltic Nukes? (by Vladimir Kozin, The Moscow Times, February 26, 2001)
Building of a plant for utilization of solid-fuel missile engines in Votkinsk may become one of the most significant investment projects for Udmurtia in recent years: Leafless "Topol", - in Russian (by Larisa Chinkova , Expert, February 26, 2001)
Although US did not ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, American experts question Russian adherence to the Treaty: Dispute on Russian Tests Divides Nuclear Experts, (by William J. Broad with Patrick Tyler, The New York Times, March 4, 2001). See also Russian MFA Official Statement on Russian-American Cooperation in the Field of Verification of the Observance of the CTBT (March 2, 2001)
Moscow new about Iraqi and Israeli nuclear programs and that Saddam got reactor from Jaques Chiraq: A-Bomb and Middle East, - in Russian, (by Oleg Grinevski, Dipcourier, March 1, 2001)
State Duma plans to discuss amendments to draft laws, that would permit import of irradiated fuel, in mid-March:
- Nuclear Spring, (Profile, March 5, 2001)
- Income Without Wastes. Russian Legislators Support «Nuclear» Amendments, - in Russian (by Gennadi Voskresenski, Vek, N 9, March 2, 2001)
- Controversial Nuke-Import Plan to Become Law, (by Sophie Lambroschini, RFE/RL, February 26, 2001)
On prospects of plutonium disposition see reports by Andrey Vaganov:
- Pills for Nuclear Oven, - in Russian (NG-Nauka, February 21, 2001, p. 3)
- Who's Money to Spend on Plutonium Disposition? (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, February 8, 2001, p. 2)
For many years physicist Lev Maximov tries to convince politicians of the incredible value that weapons-grade uranium presents if used in atomic energy in the so-called uranium-thorium cycle. "...There is no thorium energy so far, therefore we can't talk about its alleged economic benefits...", says Vladimir Boyko, Dean of Department of Physics and Technology of the Tomsk Polytechnic University (They Refuse Study "Polit-Physics" in Tomsk, - in Russian, (by Irina Samakhova, Obschaya Gazeta, March 1, 2001)
The State Duma's anti-corruption accused head of Minatom of illegal commercial activity:
- Russian Nuclear Minister Under Fire for "Illegal" Business Affairs, (by Agence France Presse, Russia Today, March 5, 2001)
- Duma Report: Adamov Corrupt, (by Andrei Zolotov Jr., The Moscow Times, March 5, 2001)
- You Have a Very Suspicious Box, - in Russian (by Yekaterina Kats, Segodnya, March 3, 2001)
At the Russian START Forum: prospects of deployment of the new generation SLBM, submarine detectability, laser weapons for BMD, and other topics.
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