Flap's Blog – FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog

Defense Secretary Robert Gates (L) smiles during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow’s Kremlin April 23, 2007.

US, Russia clash over missile shield for Europe

Russia rebuffed Monday an attempt by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates to soften opposition to Washington’s plan for a missile defence shield in Europe, saying it threatens global security.

Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov told Gates in Moscow that the planned system “is a seriously destabilizing factor that can have a significant influence on regional and global security.”

Gates, who also met with President Vladimir Putin, came to Moscow reiterating Pentagon reassurances that the anti-missile shield would not be aimed at Russia and also holding out offers of cooperation.

“In my talks with the Russian leaders we’ll reiterate that the United States is willing to explore cooperation with Russia across the full spectrum of missile defence activities,” he said.

Gates told Serdyukov that he wanted “to see how we can more positively develop our military-to-military relationship.”

However, there was little sign of progress in easing Moscow’s opposition.

“I would like to underline the point that the Russian position with respect to this issue remains unchanged,” Serdyukov said.

This will be the beginning of years of negotiations between the United States and Russia – Cold War style.

TRUST BUT VERIFY.

But, didn’t President Reagan say that America would share the missile defense technology with the Soviets so that nuclear stockpiles could be MUTUALLY reduced?

Previous:

Missile Defense Watch: THAAD Missile Defense Test is Successful

Missile Defense Watch: United States Missile Defense Operational Within a Year

China Watch: China Uses Ballistic Missile to Destroy a Satellite in Space

Missile Defense Watch: United States Considering Deployment of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missiles in Japan

Missile Defense Watch: U.S. Missile Defense Agency Rolls Out the Airborne Laser (ABL) Aircraft

Missile Defense Watch: The LEFT’S Revisionist History on Missile Defense

Missile Defense Watch: United States Launches Successful Anti-missile Test from Vandenberg Air Force Base

Missile Defense Watch: Reagan’s Vision

Missile Defense Watch: Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld Tours Alaska Missile Defense Center

Missile Defense Watch: United States and Israel Collaborating on Missile Defense

Missile Defense Watch: “Concept of Operations” To Be Done by Fall

Defense Secretary-designate Robert Gates, President Bush’s choice to replace Donald Rumsfeld, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006 at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

AP: Gates confirmed as secretary of defense

The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to confirm Robert Gates as defense secretary, with Democrats and Republicans portraying him as the man who will help overhaul President Bush’s Iraq policies.

The 95-2 vote was a victory for Bush, who named Gates to replace Donald H. Rumsfeld at the
Pentagon on Nov. 8, a day after voters gave Democrats control of Congress for next year.

Even so, much of Gates’ support stemmed from his pledges to consider new options in Iraq. The vote coincided with the release of an independent study lambasting Bush’s approach to the war, increasing pressure on the White House to change course.

“I am confident that his leadership and capabilities will help our country meet its current military challenges and prepare for emerging threats of the 21st century,” Bush said in a statement after the Senate vote.

He said Gates had shown during his confirmation hearing this week before the
Senate Armed Services Committee that he is “an experienced, qualified, and thoughtful man who is well respected by members of both parties and is committed to winning the war on terror.”

But, look who voted against Gate’s confirmation.

Two Bush allies, Sens. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., and Jim Bunning, R-Ky., voted against Gates, citing his criticism of the war and his view that the U.S. should engage Iran as part of a solution.

“Mr. Gates has repeatedly criticized our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan without providing any viable solutions to the problems our troops currently face,” Bunning said. “We need a secretary of defense to think forward with solutions and not backward on history we cannot change.”

Santorum, who lost his re-election bid last month, said the U.S. needs to confront Iran rather than “engaging someone who is at war with us. I think he is in error.”

Hugh Hewitt has Gates and Byrd on Iran and Syria

The most important exchanges from the Gates confirmation hearings today came when Senator Robert Byrd questioned the Secretary-designate on Iran and Syria. Not only did Mr. Gates answer Senator Byrd’s hypotheticals in ways that had to encourage the mullahs of Iran and the thugs of Syria, he did so in addition to questioning the president’s authority under the AUMF to pursue any terrorists operating out of Iranian or Syria:…..

Read it all…….

More on Gates and Iran:

The real news came from his answers on Iran, which raise serious questions about the direction of US policy.

When asked by a senator whether he thought Iranian President Ahmadinejad was “kidding” when he denied the Holocaust and called for “wiping Israel off the map,” Gates responded: “No, I don’t think he’s kidding. But I think that there are, in fact, higher powers in Iran than he, than the president. And … while they are certainly pressing, in my opinion, for a nuclear capability, I think that they would see it in the first instance as a deterrent.

“They are surrounded by powers with nuclear weapons – Pakistan to their east, the Russians to the north, the Israelis to the west, and us in the Persian Gulf.”

The senator followed up, “Can you assure the Israelis that they will not attack Israel with a nuclear weapon, if they acquire one?”

Gates responded coldly, “No, sir, I don’t think that anybody can provide that assurance.”

Read it all….

Flap would not have nominated nor voted to confirm Dr. Gates.

Is President Bush going backwards? Or is he attempting to accomodate the newly empowered Democrats?

Bush’s conduct after the November election is like a deer in the roadway startled by car headlights.

The Mullahs and Jihadists must be laughing their asses off and LICKING THEIR CHOPS to pick at the GREAT SATAN and Bush.