Dmitry A. Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, and President Obama, in Moscow, are in a joint press conference right now, and they are talking about strategic arms and warheads. Click below for their joint statements on weapons control issued in advance of their joint statement.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2009
Joint Statement by Dmitry A. Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, and Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, on Missile Defense Issues
In accordance with the understanding reached at the meeting in London on April 1, 2009, Russia and the United States plan to continue the discussion concerning the establishment of cooperation in responding to the challenge of ballistic missile proliferation. Our countries are intensifying their search for optimum ways of strengthening strategic relations on the basis of mutual respect and interests.
We have instructed our experts to work together to analyze the ballistic missile challenges of the 21st century and to prepare appropriate recommendations, giving priority to the use of political and diplomatic methods. At the same time they plan to conduct a joint review of the entire spectrum of means at our disposal that allow us to cooperate on monitoring the development of missile programs around the world. Our experts are intensifying dialogue on establishing the Joint Data Exchange Center, which is to become the basis for a multilateral missile-launch notification regime.
The Russian Federation and the United States of America reaffirm their willingness to engage in equitable and mutually beneficial cooperation with all interested countries that share their assessments of the danger of global proliferation of ballistic missiles. We call upon all countries having a missile potential to refrain from steps that could lead to missile proliferation and undermine regional and global stability.
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" At the same time they plan to conduct a joint review of the entire spectrum of means at our disposal that allow us to cooperate on monitoring the development of missile programs around the world."
This is a very dangerous potential agreement.
It would give the U.S. and Russia, the two most powerful nuclear powers in the world, much greater power and influence. Too, it would cost the people (taxpayers) billions of dollars in the long-run, funds neither country can afford to spend on further military expenditures, while ignoring domestic social service programs and other programs which would help their people.
Too, it could well alienate the European Union, China, Pakistan, India, Israel, England, France as well as really alarm the militant North Korea and Iran governments. All nuclear powers.
The road to security and peace is not by increased military might. Rather it is by way of diplomacy, disarmament and agreement making that will lead us foward for long-term stability and progress worldwide.
Missile Defense buildup gives more money and power to the U.S. military industrial complex and to the Russian military industry. The U.S.is the largest user and seller of arms in the world.
This development needs to be reversed if we are to have a chance for peaceful developments among nations in the near future and in the long-term.
We need to stand up to these military forces and say no more military buildup...furthermore missile defense has been proven to be ineffective and is forbidden in Eastern Europe by the House of Representatives in the U.S. Congress.
arn specter, phila.