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From CNN.com
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said Thursday that the United States will withdraw from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and notify Russia of its intentions, starting a six-month timetable for withdrawal that will open the way for the creation of a ballistic missile defense system.
"Today I am giving formal notice to Russia that the United States of America is withdrawing from this almost 30-year-old treaty," Bush said.
The announcement in the White House Rose Garden came after months of talks in which U.S. officials hoped to persuade Russia to set the treaty aside and negotiate a new strategic framework. But a breakthrough did not materialize, and Bush decided to go ahead with a unilateral withdrawal.
The historic pact, negotiated with the former Soviet Union during the Cold War, specifically forbids testing and deploying a ballistic missile defense system. And Bush believes such a system is critical for U.S. defense in the 21st century.
Arms control advocates have argued against abrogating the ABM treaty, saying amendments to allow the tests should be negotiated with Moscow and the treaty left in place.
Congressional Democrats greeted news that Bush planned to withdraw from the ABM with skepticism on Wednesday. Some called Bush's plan a misguided and poorly timed decision.
"I think it undermines the fragile coalition that we have with our allies," said Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota, who was told of the decision in a breakfast meeting with Bush on Wednesday.
"It causes real concern ... as we look at the implications for future commitments in our defense strategy and what it may mean in other contexts."
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph Biden, D-Delaware, admonished the White House on the Senate floor Wednesday, saying the move would cause an arms buildup not just in Russia but also in Pakistan and India, increasing tensions in southern Asia.
Biden later called Bush's priorities "out of whack." He said America should be more worried about terrorists with weapons of mass destruction than countries with long-range ballistic missiles.
"September 11 indicated our country is vulnerable," Biden said. "The thing we remain the least vulnerable to is an ICBM attack from another nation."
The administration's position is just the opposite: The September 11 attacks demonstrate that if rogue nations that support terrorists develop long-range missiles, they would undoubtedly use them.
Biden questioned the "urgency to pull out," saying the Pentagon has told Congress it could test the missile defense system without breaching the ABM treaty.
"Is the announcement of our intent to withdraw from the ABM treaty a real action, or is it a White House Christmas present for the right wing who dislikes arms control under any circumstances," Biden asked.
Daschle said although it is his understanding Bush has the authority to unilaterally pull out of the treaty, he is researching what "specific legal options Congress has" to stop it. He admitted such options may be limited.
Many Democrats believe pulling out of the ABM treaty unnecessarily antagonizes the Russians, because there is no indication a missile defense system would work.
They say it is especially dangerous to do at a time when the Russians and other nuclear-capable allies are key coalition members in the U.S. war against terrorism.
Daschle said there are limits to what Congress can do legislatively, but it still has the "power of the purse," suggesting it can hold up funds for missile defense or other White House programs.
"It is unfortunate that the Russians knew before the leaders did," Daschle said. "It's unfortunate that a matter of this import would not have been vetted more carefully or completely and with greater care for U.S. foreign policy than this was."
Two top advisers to former Russian President Boris Yeltsin -- Sergei Karaganov and former Duma member Vyacheslav Nikonov -- told CNN Tuesday that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell told Russian President Vladimir Putin of Bush's intentions following meetings this week in Moscow.
Nikonov said Russia's response might be to put multiple warheads on its newest generation of strategic missiles. Karaganov said the Russians believe the results of abandoning the ABM treaty "will be negative, but will be your responsibility."
Both men said the decision could lead to a nuclear arms race in Asia. "It is bad for America. It is bad for the rest of the world. It is bad for Russia, but it's your decision," Nikonov said.
During stops this week in Berlin, London and Paris, Powell tried to quell European concerns about the consequences of scrapping the treaty, U.S. officials said.
In a speech Tuesday at the Citadel military college in Charleston, South Carolina, Bush told cadets that with tests going well on the missile defense program the ABM treaty has become an obstacle to peace.
"We must move beyond the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, a treaty that was written in a different era, for a different enemy," he said. "America and our allies must not be bound to the past. We must be able to build the defenses we need against the enemies of the 21st century."
-----
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said Thursday that the United States will withdraw from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and notify Russia of its intentions, starting a six-month timetable for withdrawal that will open the way for the creation of a ballistic missile defense system.
"Today I am giving formal notice to Russia that the United States of America is withdrawing from this almost 30-year-old treaty," Bush said.
The announcement in the White House Rose Garden came after months of talks in which U.S. officials hoped to persuade Russia to set the treaty aside and negotiate a new strategic framework. But a breakthrough did not materialize, and Bush decided to go ahead with a unilateral withdrawal.
The historic pact, negotiated with the former Soviet Union during the Cold War, specifically forbids testing and deploying a ballistic missile defense system. And Bush believes such a system is critical for U.S. defense in the 21st century.
Arms control advocates have argued against abrogating the ABM treaty, saying amendments to allow the tests should be negotiated with Moscow and the treaty left in place.
Congressional Democrats greeted news that Bush planned to withdraw from the ABM with skepticism on Wednesday. Some called Bush's plan a misguided and poorly timed decision.
"I think it undermines the fragile coalition that we have with our allies," said Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota, who was told of the decision in a breakfast meeting with Bush on Wednesday.
"It causes real concern ... as we look at the implications for future commitments in our defense strategy and what it may mean in other contexts."
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph Biden, D-Delaware, admonished the White House on the Senate floor Wednesday, saying the move would cause an arms buildup not just in Russia but also in Pakistan and India, increasing tensions in southern Asia.
Biden later called Bush's priorities "out of whack." He said America should be more worried about terrorists with weapons of mass destruction than countries with long-range ballistic missiles.
"September 11 indicated our country is vulnerable," Biden said. "The thing we remain the least vulnerable to is an ICBM attack from another nation."
The administration's position is just the opposite: The September 11 attacks demonstrate that if rogue nations that support terrorists develop long-range missiles, they would undoubtedly use them.
Biden questioned the "urgency to pull out," saying the Pentagon has told Congress it could test the missile defense system without breaching the ABM treaty.
"Is the announcement of our intent to withdraw from the ABM treaty a real action, or is it a White House Christmas present for the right wing who dislikes arms control under any circumstances," Biden asked.
Daschle said although it is his understanding Bush has the authority to unilaterally pull out of the treaty, he is researching what "specific legal options Congress has" to stop it. He admitted such options may be limited.
Many Democrats believe pulling out of the ABM treaty unnecessarily antagonizes the Russians, because there is no indication a missile defense system would work.
They say it is especially dangerous to do at a time when the Russians and other nuclear-capable allies are key coalition members in the U.S. war against terrorism.
Daschle said there are limits to what Congress can do legislatively, but it still has the "power of the purse," suggesting it can hold up funds for missile defense or other White House programs.
"It is unfortunate that the Russians knew before the leaders did," Daschle said. "It's unfortunate that a matter of this import would not have been vetted more carefully or completely and with greater care for U.S. foreign policy than this was."
Two top advisers to former Russian President Boris Yeltsin -- Sergei Karaganov and former Duma member Vyacheslav Nikonov -- told CNN Tuesday that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell told Russian President Vladimir Putin of Bush's intentions following meetings this week in Moscow.
Nikonov said Russia's response might be to put multiple warheads on its newest generation of strategic missiles. Karaganov said the Russians believe the results of abandoning the ABM treaty "will be negative, but will be your responsibility."
Both men said the decision could lead to a nuclear arms race in Asia. "It is bad for America. It is bad for the rest of the world. It is bad for Russia, but it's your decision," Nikonov said.
During stops this week in Berlin, London and Paris, Powell tried to quell European concerns about the consequences of scrapping the treaty, U.S. officials said.
In a speech Tuesday at the Citadel military college in Charleston, South Carolina, Bush told cadets that with tests going well on the missile defense program the ABM treaty has become an obstacle to peace.
"We must move beyond the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, a treaty that was written in a different era, for a different enemy," he said. "America and our allies must not be bound to the past. We must be able to build the defenses we need against the enemies of the 21st century."
Only certain people can be politicians in my opinion... none of which are intelligent. None of which tell the truth. None of which has people's best interests at heart... yet they run the country.
To quote the Manics:
" When freedom exists there will be no state "
To quote the Manics:
" When freedom exists there will be no state "
Clinton reduced defence spending by 40%, removed a lot of power from the CIA and abandoned the Star Wars project, seeing no need for an expensive system.
Under Clinton, the USA enjoyed it's most bouyant economy at any previous time since records began and they were involved in no legitimate wars.
Towards the end of Clinton's term, he was impeached in the Lewinsky scandal by Kenneth Star and left office smeared and vindicated of all charges, including the "Whitewater" scandal.
Since being in office, Bush has reversed Clinton's reduction of CIA powers (a coincidence that both W Bush and his father started their careers in the CIA?), and has been granted a blank-cheque funding policy for defence, already spending in 9 months twice that of Clinton's total 8year spend.
Make of that what you will.
Under Clinton, the USA enjoyed it's most bouyant economy at any previous time since records began and they were involved in no legitimate wars.
Towards the end of Clinton's term, he was impeached in the Lewinsky scandal by Kenneth Star and left office smeared and vindicated of all charges, including the "Whitewater" scandal.
Since being in office, Bush has reversed Clinton's reduction of CIA powers (a coincidence that both W Bush and his father started their careers in the CIA?), and has been granted a blank-cheque funding policy for defence, already spending in 9 months twice that of Clinton's total 8year spend.
Make of that what you will.
I imagine George W Bush has already spent more on 'defense' (and attack) than Bill Clinton managed to do so. And he hasn't even been in a year yet. That's scary.
I've said it before and I'll say it again:
George W Bush = Warmongering, fascist retard.
Like father, like son.
This is a guy that calls terrorists "folks", had left his state of Texas twice before he was elected President of The Free World and had to ask where Afghanistan was on a map 2 days after the WTC attacks.
He has withdrawn the USA from the Kyoto summit at the urging of Esso, has decided to revive the nuclear arms industry and had been granted veto-spending power on his Star Wars project that Clinton closed because "We don't need enemies anymore, let's concentrate on our prosperity".
Clinton was a guy that played Saxaphone on Saturday Night Live and was more interested in getting laid than reneging on treaties signed to limit the threat of nuclear arms.
*shakes head*
George W Bush = Warmongering, fascist retard.
Like father, like son.
This is a guy that calls terrorists "folks", had left his state of Texas twice before he was elected President of The Free World and had to ask where Afghanistan was on a map 2 days after the WTC attacks.
He has withdrawn the USA from the Kyoto summit at the urging of Esso, has decided to revive the nuclear arms industry and had been granted veto-spending power on his Star Wars project that Clinton closed because "We don't need enemies anymore, let's concentrate on our prosperity".
Clinton was a guy that played Saxaphone on Saturday Night Live and was more interested in getting laid than reneging on treaties signed to limit the threat of nuclear arms.
*shakes head*
From CNN.com
-----
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said Thursday that the United States will withdraw from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and notify Russia of its intentions, starting a six-month timetable for withdrawal that will open the way for the creation of a ballistic missile defense system.
"Today I am giving formal notice to Russia that the United States of America is withdrawing from this almost 30-year-old treaty," Bush said.
The announcement in the White House Rose Garden came after months of talks in which U.S. officials hoped to persuade Russia to set the treaty aside and negotiate a new strategic framework. But a breakthrough did not materialize, and Bush decided to go ahead with a unilateral withdrawal.
The historic pact, negotiated with the former Soviet Union during the Cold War, specifically forbids testing and deploying a ballistic missile defense system. And Bush believes such a system is critical for U.S. defense in the 21st century.
Arms control advocates have argued against abrogating the ABM treaty, saying amendments to allow the tests should be negotiated with Moscow and the treaty left in place.
Congressional Democrats greeted news that Bush planned to withdraw from the ABM with skepticism on Wednesday. Some called Bush's plan a misguided and poorly timed decision.
"I think it undermines the fragile coalition that we have with our allies," said Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota, who was told of the decision in a breakfast meeting with Bush on Wednesday.
"It causes real concern ... as we look at the implications for future commitments in our defense strategy and what it may mean in other contexts."
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph Biden, D-Delaware, admonished the White House on the Senate floor Wednesday, saying the move would cause an arms buildup not just in Russia but also in Pakistan and India, increasing tensions in southern Asia.
Biden later called Bush's priorities "out of whack." He said America should be more worried about terrorists with weapons of mass destruction than countries with long-range ballistic missiles.
"September 11 indicated our country is vulnerable," Biden said. "The thing we remain the least vulnerable to is an ICBM attack from another nation."
The administration's position is just the opposite: The September 11 attacks demonstrate that if rogue nations that support terrorists develop long-range missiles, they would undoubtedly use them.
Biden questioned the "urgency to pull out," saying the Pentagon has told Congress it could test the missile defense system without breaching the ABM treaty.
"Is the announcement of our intent to withdraw from the ABM treaty a real action, or is it a White House Christmas present for the right wing who dislikes arms control under any circumstances," Biden asked.
Daschle said although it is his understanding Bush has the authority to unilaterally pull out of the treaty, he is researching what "specific legal options Congress has" to stop it. He admitted such options may be limited.
Many Democrats believe pulling out of the ABM treaty unnecessarily antagonizes the Russians, because there is no indication a missile defense system would work.
They say it is especially dangerous to do at a time when the Russians and other nuclear-capable allies are key coalition members in the U.S. war against terrorism.
Daschle said there are limits to what Congress can do legislatively, but it still has the "power of the purse," suggesting it can hold up funds for missile defense or other White House programs.
"It is unfortunate that the Russians knew before the leaders did," Daschle said. "It's unfortunate that a matter of this import would not have been vetted more carefully or completely and with greater care for U.S. foreign policy than this was."
Two top advisers to former Russian President Boris Yeltsin -- Sergei Karaganov and former Duma member Vyacheslav Nikonov -- told CNN Tuesday that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell told Russian President Vladimir Putin of Bush's intentions following meetings this week in Moscow.
Nikonov said Russia's response might be to put multiple warheads on its newest generation of strategic missiles. Karaganov said the Russians believe the results of abandoning the ABM treaty "will be negative, but will be your responsibility."
Both men said the decision could lead to a nuclear arms race in Asia. "It is bad for America. It is bad for the rest of the world. It is bad for Russia, but it's your decision," Nikonov said.
During stops this week in Berlin, London and Paris, Powell tried to quell European concerns about the consequences of scrapping the treaty, U.S. officials said.
In a speech Tuesday at the Citadel military college in Charleston, South Carolina, Bush told cadets that with tests going well on the missile defense program the ABM treaty has become an obstacle to peace.
"We must move beyond the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, a treaty that was written in a different era, for a different enemy," he said. "America and our allies must not be bound to the past. We must be able to build the defenses we need against the enemies of the 21st century."
-----
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said Thursday that the United States will withdraw from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and notify Russia of its intentions, starting a six-month timetable for withdrawal that will open the way for the creation of a ballistic missile defense system.
"Today I am giving formal notice to Russia that the United States of America is withdrawing from this almost 30-year-old treaty," Bush said.
The announcement in the White House Rose Garden came after months of talks in which U.S. officials hoped to persuade Russia to set the treaty aside and negotiate a new strategic framework. But a breakthrough did not materialize, and Bush decided to go ahead with a unilateral withdrawal.
The historic pact, negotiated with the former Soviet Union during the Cold War, specifically forbids testing and deploying a ballistic missile defense system. And Bush believes such a system is critical for U.S. defense in the 21st century.
Arms control advocates have argued against abrogating the ABM treaty, saying amendments to allow the tests should be negotiated with Moscow and the treaty left in place.
Congressional Democrats greeted news that Bush planned to withdraw from the ABM with skepticism on Wednesday. Some called Bush's plan a misguided and poorly timed decision.
"I think it undermines the fragile coalition that we have with our allies," said Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota, who was told of the decision in a breakfast meeting with Bush on Wednesday.
"It causes real concern ... as we look at the implications for future commitments in our defense strategy and what it may mean in other contexts."
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph Biden, D-Delaware, admonished the White House on the Senate floor Wednesday, saying the move would cause an arms buildup not just in Russia but also in Pakistan and India, increasing tensions in southern Asia.
Biden later called Bush's priorities "out of whack." He said America should be more worried about terrorists with weapons of mass destruction than countries with long-range ballistic missiles.
"September 11 indicated our country is vulnerable," Biden said. "The thing we remain the least vulnerable to is an ICBM attack from another nation."
The administration's position is just the opposite: The September 11 attacks demonstrate that if rogue nations that support terrorists develop long-range missiles, they would undoubtedly use them.
Biden questioned the "urgency to pull out," saying the Pentagon has told Congress it could test the missile defense system without breaching the ABM treaty.
"Is the announcement of our intent to withdraw from the ABM treaty a real action, or is it a White House Christmas present for the right wing who dislikes arms control under any circumstances," Biden asked.
Daschle said although it is his understanding Bush has the authority to unilaterally pull out of the treaty, he is researching what "specific legal options Congress has" to stop it. He admitted such options may be limited.
Many Democrats believe pulling out of the ABM treaty unnecessarily antagonizes the Russians, because there is no indication a missile defense system would work.
They say it is especially dangerous to do at a time when the Russians and other nuclear-capable allies are key coalition members in the U.S. war against terrorism.
Daschle said there are limits to what Congress can do legislatively, but it still has the "power of the purse," suggesting it can hold up funds for missile defense or other White House programs.
"It is unfortunate that the Russians knew before the leaders did," Daschle said. "It's unfortunate that a matter of this import would not have been vetted more carefully or completely and with greater care for U.S. foreign policy than this was."
Two top advisers to former Russian President Boris Yeltsin -- Sergei Karaganov and former Duma member Vyacheslav Nikonov -- told CNN Tuesday that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell told Russian President Vladimir Putin of Bush's intentions following meetings this week in Moscow.
Nikonov said Russia's response might be to put multiple warheads on its newest generation of strategic missiles. Karaganov said the Russians believe the results of abandoning the ABM treaty "will be negative, but will be your responsibility."
Both men said the decision could lead to a nuclear arms race in Asia. "It is bad for America. It is bad for the rest of the world. It is bad for Russia, but it's your decision," Nikonov said.
During stops this week in Berlin, London and Paris, Powell tried to quell European concerns about the consequences of scrapping the treaty, U.S. officials said.
In a speech Tuesday at the Citadel military college in Charleston, South Carolina, Bush told cadets that with tests going well on the missile defense program the ABM treaty has become an obstacle to peace.
"We must move beyond the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, a treaty that was written in a different era, for a different enemy," he said. "America and our allies must not be bound to the past. We must be able to build the defenses we need against the enemies of the 21st century."