Russian and US differences remain over missile defence
A visit by US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld to Moscow on 13 August failed to produce a change in Russian opposition to the national missile defence (NMD) plans of the US. Similarly, Russian attempts to link the NMD issue to arms reduction talks found little sympathy with Mr Rumsfeld who has indicated that the US will reduce its nuclear arsenal unilaterally. The Guardian suggests that this approach to arms reduction reflects the Bush administration's desire to avoid being bound by international treaties.
A visit by US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld to Moscow on 13 August failed to produce a change in Russian opposition to the national missile defence (NMD) plans of the US. Similarly, Russian attempts to link the NMD issue to arms reduction talks found little sympathy with Mr Rumsfeld who has indicated that the US will reduce its nuclear arsenal unilaterally. The Guardian suggests that this approach to arms reduction reflects the Bush administration’s desire to avoid being bound by international treaties.
