Putin reacts to NATO 'muscle-flexing'

IHT
Posted: 2007-11-20 19:35:36

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin warned Tuesday that Moscow would not remain indifferent to NATO's "muscle-flexing" and said that Russian nuclear forces would be ready with an adequate response to any aggressor.

Putin, speaking to generals less than two weeks before Dec. 2 parliamentary elections, said the NATO military alliance had built up its forces close to Russia's borders.

"We see that military resources of certain states and members of the NATO alliance are being built up right by our borders and in contravention of previously reached agreements," Putin said in remarks shown on state television. "We cannot allow ourselves to remain indifferent to the obvious 'muscle-flexing.' "

He said strategic nuclear forces, which control Russia's long-range nuclear missiles, should be ready "to deliver a swift and adequate response to any aggressor."

Putin, who has increased military spending substantially over the past eight years, has sought to boost Russia's international influence after the chaos following the fall of the Soviet Union.

Talking tough about Russia's military is popular locally. Polls show it strikes a chord with millions of Russians who crave for the Soviet Union's once mighty military and superpower status.

NATO is viewed with suspicion in Russia, where Kremlin officials say expansion eastwards into the Baltic states and Central Europe shows the alliance is being used by the United States to threaten Russian interests.

Moscow and Washington have clashed over U.S. plans for a missile defense shield in Europe, differing views of Russian democracy, the future of the Serb province of Kosovo and the war in Iraq, though on Iran there has been some cooperation.

Putin said Russia's suspension of the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty, a key arms treaty limiting forces in Europe, was one way to counter NATO's "muscle-flexing."

"We are not going to fulfill anything unilaterally; our partners did not ratify the treaty and some did not even sign it," Putin said, adding sarcastically: "It was a nice affair."

Russian generals say the issue of flank limits, which restrict Moscow's ability to deploy heavy armor on parts of its own territory, must be solved if Russia is to return to the treaty.

Russian proposals to set up a single missile defense system under joint control have not had an answer from the West, Putin said.

He praised the military potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, or SCO, a regional grouping of Russia, China and four Central Asian states that held joint military exercises in August in Chebarkul in the Urals.

"The growing defense potential of the SCO was shown in practice at the Chebarkul range," Putin said.

At the August exercises, Putin said security threats had forced Russia to resume regular airborne bomber patrols across the world, bringing back memories of the Cold War.

Putin has been keen to show off his close ties with the military, visiting a nuclear submarine, flying a bomber and calling for better wages for soldiers.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared the way for Putin to lead the United Russia party in parliamentary elections that could extend his political grip on Russia after he steps down, Reuters reported from Moscow.

The court rejected a suit filed by a small party that says it represents urban, educated and liberal Russians, the Union of Right-Wing Forces, or SPS, which said Putin's name on the party list was a constitutional violation and should not be allowed.

Putin said in October he would head the list of candidates for the biggest political party in Russia, expecting that its victory in Dec. 2 elections could give him an instrument to influence politics after he quits as president next year.

"The Supreme Court decided to leave the SPS plea to cancel the registration of Vladimir Putin," the judge announced.

The SPS is one of dozens of Russian political parties that have lost parliamentary seats and most of their influence during Putin's eight-year presidency.

Putin's decision to head United Russia's campaign has all but killed SPS's chances in the election.

"We will indeed appeal against today's decision because we see many violations of law in it," said Boris Nadezhdin, one of the SPS leaders.