zimmy61

Putin warns of new missile crisis
Russian President Vladimir Putin says US plans for a missile shield could precipitate a situation similar to the Cuban missile crisis of the 1960s.

Mr Putin was speaking after a summit with EU leaders in Portugal aimed at deepening ties despite disagreements over human rights and foreign policy.

Russia has long opposed US plans to build missile bases in European states once in the Soviet sphere of influence.

The Cuba crisis saw the Soviet Union and US go to the brink of nuclear war.

The 1962 stand-off was triggered when US spy planes discovered Soviet missile bases in Cuba, within striking distance of the American mainland.

Moscow's decision to deploy these weapons in Cuba was at the time seen as a response to the build-up of powerful US missiles in Europe.

Tensions were only defused when Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agreed to dismantle the bases in return for guarantees that Washington would not attack communist Cuba.

'Similar situation'

Asked in Lisbon about US plans for missile bases in eastern Europe, President Putin said the threat to Russia's borders was akin to that faced by the US during the Cuban crisis.

"I would remind you how relations were developing in an analogous situation in the middle of the 1960s," he said.

"Analogous actions by the Soviet Union when it deployed rockets on Cuba provoked the Cuban missile crisis," he said.

"For us, technologically, the situation is very similar."

He added that current tensions had not reached the pitch attained during the Cuban crisis.

"Thank God, we do not have any Cuban missile crisis now and this is above all because of the fundamental way relations between Russia and the United States and Europe have changed," he said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7064428.stm

EvilMonkey

If we don't get rid of Bush soon, I mean like really soon we are fucked. We simply cannot rule the world with an iron fist, the time for diplomacy is now. Our worthless congress needs to step up to the plate before the US goes under attack from a coalition of the willing, which pretty much encompasses everyone.

bigbrowndog

When you have a leader that says, "Money trumps peace",
you know where you stand.

We aren't the only country concerned about money
and aren't the only ones have the tools to fight.

Times have changed.

djack

We need Dumbya to look in them beady eyes again. What's he up to chimperor?

BillCosby

I would say that is a bit more accurate..... bush is drunk w/ that power. Unchallenged he can simply dictate to the un & the rest of the world & if they don't go along he will simply go alone......... Afterall he doesn't need anyone else...

Heretic

I would've more aptly said the missile "defense" system [Scarecrow Defense Initiative or SDI] is just an Eonron'esque scandal only at a scale larger than Worldcom.

__________________
"In space no one can hear you scream. in D.C. it won't matter..." -Clinton Resurrection: The Alien Queen lives!

Heretic

The problem is he's would-be successors from either party suck. We're being told it's Rudy or Hillary, nevermind that there are FAR better candidates in the race.

__________________
"In space no one can hear you scream. in D.C. it won't matter..." -Clinton Resurrection: The Alien Queen lives!

gorillamom

I'm liking you more and more! Pat Paulson still has my vote! Remember him?