U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates holds a news briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, June 5, 2008.
Photo: Reuters
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U.S. to Ensure Nuclear Deterrence of Russia
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has expressed general apprehension resulted from Russia’s efforts to strengthen nuclear potential. Gates made the respective statement when visiting the Air Force base in Langley, Wyoming.
“It seems clear that the Russians are focused as they look to the future more on strengthening their nuclear capabilities,” Reuters quoted as saying U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates. “So to the extent that they rely more and more on their nuclear capabilities as opposed to what historically has been a huge Russian conventional military capability, it seems to me that it underscores the importance of our sustaining a valid nuclear deterrent, a modern nuclear deterrent.”
According to Gates, the Russians staked on nuclear capabilities due to difficulties when reforming conventional forces.
“Russia is really not investing very much in their conventional forces. It’s really clear and for a whole bunch of reasons, demographics and everything else,” Gates specified.
According to Gates, the need of Pentagon in nuclear weapons to deter potential enemies will increase in future, as such states as Iran may obtain nuclear weapons.
Giving as reason Europe’s protection against potential attacks of the so-called rogue states, such as Iran and North Korea, the United States intends to build a radar station in the Czech Republic and station ten interceptors in Poland. This dispute of the missile shield has clouded relations between Moscow and Washington.
www.kommersant.com
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