Bush plays down missile fears
Updated on 05 June 2007
George Bush is in eastern Europe trying to pacify the Russian Bear over his new missile defence system
In the Prague summer, Day Two of the new Cold War, as the ruler of the world's sole superpower inspects troops on NATO's front line.
With the Kremlin's shrill rhetoric still ringing in peoples' ears, calming words today from a magnanimous George Bush; the threat of World War III receding.
"I look forward to having conversations with President Putin not only at the G8 but up in the Unites States when he comes over and my message will be Vladimir, I call him Vladimir, you shouldn't fear a missile defence system.
As a matter of fact, why don't you cooperate with us on a missile defence system? Why don't you participate with the United States?
Please send your generals over to see how such a system would work, send your scientists let us have the ability to discuss this issue in an open forum where we will be completely transparent." - George Bush
On the eve of the big G8 summit, George's friend, Vladimir, had given detente a kicking when he said he was left with no choice but to aim Russian missiles at cities in Europe to retaliate for US plans to build part of its missile defence shield in Eastern Europe. The Russians tested one just a couple of weeks ago.
"Please send your generals over to see how such a system would work, send your scientists let us have the ability to discuss this issue in an open forum where we will be completely transparent"- George Bush
George Bush insists the shield is intended to intercept missiles fired by rogue regimes, like North Korea, and to have it ready for action by the time Iran develops long-range ballistic missiles.
No word from Vladimir Putin today, but his foreign minister again denounced US plans. Funnily enough, he was in South Korea, discussing the North Korean nuclear problem:
"We will not be provoked," Sergei Lavrov said, referring to the Americans.
Right on cue though, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad popped up today to announce that Iran's nuclear programme had passed the point of no return.
Don't play with the lion's tail he warned those seeking to stop its progress. Grist to the mill for George Bush.
The Kremlin's latest salvo notwithstanding, the Pentagon wants to spend a cool nine billion dollars on the missile shield. It's less ambitious than the impenetrable dome envisioned by Ronald Reagan in his Strategic Defense Initiative, but two decades on, shooting missiles out of the sky is proving just as contentious.
Son of Star Wars
Within about six years, the plan is to have 54 ground-based interceptors; 40 long-range missiles based in Alaska; four in California, and more deployed aboard US warships. Over in Europe - 10 would be based in Poland;
Those rogue regime rockets would be tracked from an ocean-going radar platform in the Pacific -capable of spotting incoming missiles in space.
It would be aided by a proposed radar in the Czech Republic and an upgraded early warning system at RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire.
The planned radar base in the Czech Republic isn't very popular there.
"Good Morning, Radar. I applaud you with my pals. We are waving our hats."- Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova lyrics
But today, Czech TV played a song welcoming it written by Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova as a gift for George Bush, he said.
The lyric goes: "Good Morning, Radar. I applaud you with my pals. We are waving our hats."
It's possible something's been lost in translation.
Before he left for the G8 in Germany, George Bush sort of undid his earlier magnanimity. In another speech, he launched a broadside on Russian democracy.
Reforms that once promised to empower Russian citizens have been derailed, he said, with troubling democratic implications.
The president who doesn't believe in a zero-sum world says he likes to talk though disagreements; that moment fast approaching now.
Tonight he arrived in Rostok for the G8. Tomorrow, he'll sit down to dinner with his snarling friend Vladimir, who's in strident mood and clearly resents George muscling up onto Russia's front doorstep.
