Merkel: NATO should defuse missile tension

[Terri]

By UPI Staff
United Press International
March 6, 2007

MOSCOW (UPI) -- German Chancellor and rotating EU President Angela Merkel has called on NATO to defuse growing Russian tension about U.S. missile shields in Europe.

Merkel made the remarks to the Financial Times Monday after the head of Russia's strategic bomber force said Russian bombers could easily knock out the installations, which the Bush administration is so far planning to build in Poland and Czech Republic.

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[Goldwater Republican]

Germany should stand by us on this, though I doubt they will, considering they are heavily dependent on Russia for gas. This all started after the U.S. wanted to deploy missiles in Poland and Czechoslovakia, which has so far gained the support of both governments. It's obvious this is to deter rogue states like Iran and North Korea, similar to our military bases in Albania and our future one in Italy, so my question is, why is Russia so concerned? I know Putin is ex-KGB, but it seems they still think the Cold War is on.

[FEChancellor]

Ronald Reagan warned our European Allies then employed sanctions on US machinery and technology in an attempt to thwart the pipeline deal between the EU and the Soviets way back in the 1980s. Today, France and Germany chief among others are under contract and dependent to Russia for 25% of their natural gas, and this 25% is conditional upon Putin's whims as events of the last two years have demonstrated.

Chancellor Merkel is a steadfast supporter and friend in the US led diplomatic efforts to Iran's Nuclear Program, however, Germany's freedom of action in affairs concerning the Russians is constrained by the self imposed bondage of a stupid strategic decision made during the Cold War.

[Goldwater Republican]

Germany should stand by the U.S. against Russia(considering Russia is also aiding Iran with nuclear technology), but they are caught between a rock and a hard place.

[STEELMAN]

why is Russia so concerned? I know Putin is ex-KGB, but it seems they still think the Cold War is on.

It is! The leapard never changes it's spots...and the "Cold War" was just set on the back burner still simmering. Russia is still a communist nation and will always display a negative attitude towards the US. They will never become a true "friend" of our country.

[Bill Dafence]

If russia has expressed concern about the deployment...it must be a good idea. Russia is still not the friend of the free world and should not be trusted...Germany should know better.

[Goldwater Republican]

It is! The leapard never changes it's spots...and the "Cold War" was just set on the back burner still simmering. Russia is still a communist nation and will always display a negative attitude towards the US. They will never become a true "friend" of our country.

That's what the scary part is. Russia is no longer a superpower, and barely even a great power, and yet they act as if they own Europe. Missiles in Poland and Czechoslovakia don't concern them, and especially not when it's painfully obvious that they are not for the purpose of any anti-Russian activity.

We should probably fear the Russians, but I can't help laughing at a country who continually gets its collective ass kicked by the Chechens.