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2003-08-01 International

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Posted by Frank G 2003-08-01 12:50:17 PM|| || Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Russiaâs ambassador, Leonid Skotnikov, told the Geneva disarmament forum Thursday that his country remained firmly committed to banning the deployment of weapons in outer space and wanted a moratorium while a treaty was negotiated.
("because weâre so technologically behind itâll take a while for us to steal the U.S. designs")
"We are ready to take on such a commitment immediately as long as the leading space powers join in a moratorium," he said.

Since they can't afford to put anybody up in Mir anymore, and China has no space program, I guess they mean us, huh? That huge group of "leading space powers" that consists of one... Oh, wait - I forgot the Japanese space program, but that's mostly launching sats. ESA? Hah!

Posted by mojo 2003-8-1 1:45:31 PM|| 2003-8-1 1:45:31 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Agreeing to PAROS would be sheer suicide for the United States -- China and Russia just want to stall us while they catch up. Do you think China is going to follow ANY treaty that doesn't serve its immediate interests? How about the Arab League? They're not stupid; eventually they will get out into space. If you think they aren't going to build space-based weapons, think again! It's a no-brainer; even Al Gore, who is not exactly a hawk, was in favor of space- based defense

Posted by Secret Master 2003-8-1 1:45:36 PM|| [www.budgetwarrior.com] 2003-8-1 1:45:36 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 And this is on space.com's site today

http://space,com/news/china_dod_030801.html

Appearently the Chinese Space Program which is a derivitive of the Military missile programs has as one of it's goals the negation of US superiority in the strategic and tactical uses of space.

Posted by Someone who did NOT vote for William Proxmire 2003-8-1 2:44:05 PM|| 2003-8-1 2:44:05 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Is it just me or is the yammering of the news media about ABM systems illogical. On one hand we are told that it is too hard or impossible. On the other hand that even trying to develop ABM systems will be a bad thing and will make the Russian and Chinese nervous. Either it won't work (and others will laugh) or it will work (no more nuclear nightmare). Can't have it both ways.

Posted by Chemist 2003-8-1 3:28:48 PM|| 2003-8-1 3:28:48 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 China and Russia just want to stall us while they catch up. Do you think China is going to follow ANY treaty that doesn't serve its immediate interests?

Of course it's a load of crock. The correct response to this proposal is the diplomatic equivalent of "Are you on drugs?" But you can't blame 'em for trying.

Too bad our media seems to believe everything foreign governments say and nothing that comes from our elected officials. In the media's view, foreigners are inevitably honest brokers whereas US officials are by default morally tainted. Only in America (and the UK, too, I guess)...

Posted by Zhang Fei 2003-8-1 4:59:34 PM|| 2003-8-1 4:59:34 PM|| Front Page Top

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