Concessions for Nothing, Rule-Breaking for Free
Posted October 15th, 2009 at 11.15am in American Leadership, Protect America.
Russia and the United States have tentatively agreed to a weapons inspection program that would allow Russians to visit nuclear sites in America to count missiles and warheads.
The plan, which Fox News has learned was agreed to in principle during negotiations, would constitute the most intrusive weapons inspection program the U.S. has ever accepted.
Initial thoughts:
- The description reported in the press of what has been agreed to is way too vague to know whether there would be a significant security risk.
- What we know for sure is that the administration is dead wrong in how its approaching verification and transparency issues. These should be negotiated as a protocol to the existing Moscow Treaty and not negotiated through a START follow-on treaty (which requires unrealistic deadlines for signature, ratification and entry into force before the December 5th expiration of START). Pushing for agreements in a slap-dash fashion risks getting really complex negotiations wrong.
- Before agreeing to new verification and transparency measures the administration should first recognize that Russia has violated the existing such measures under START in multiple ways and on numerous occasions (cataloged in the August 2005 report “Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments” released by the Department of State). It makes no sense to give new concessions when the Russians are not playing by the existing rules.
- The administration’s unrealistic rush to negotiate new arms control agreements should give the Senate pause. At a minimum the Senate should insist on a lengthy and thorough review before even thinking about ratification.
- Author: James Carafano
- Interact: Sphere
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October 15, 2009 Freedom of Speech TX writes:
One of the best “common-sense” articles I have read.
Unfortunately for all of us, that very thing appears to be in short supply.
You would have to be a fool to placate ANY country through this means.
When did “state secrets” for the security of our nation become bargaining chips?
Let’s all hope this administration is NOT THAT naive. They just got what should be a wakeup call with Russian “support” on tough Iran sanctions.
The diplomats will argue these are “sensitive” issues. We must not hurt feelings, etc. Do the opposing diplomats care about our feelings?
What utterly dangerous nonsense.