Today.Az » Politics » U.S.-Russia joint use of Gabala radar is beneficial for both sides: German Council on Foreign Relations expert
19 March 2009 [10:30] - Today.Az
The U.S.-Russia joint use of the Gabala radar can address a number of problems in Moscow-Washington relations, expert at the German Council on Foreign Relations Alexander Rahr said.
"I think Putin's proposal on the U.S.-Russia joint use of radar in Gabala (Azerbaijan) in exchange for Washington's giving up a missile shield is right," Rahr told Trend News.
Russia has proposed the U.S. to use Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan jointly on a numerous occasions as an alternative to the U.S. plan to deploy missile shield in Poland and Czech Republic.
Rahr said the Americans will get Moscow to become pro-western and act against Tehran.
"Using radar station in Gabala will show that Russia admits Iranian threat," Rahr said. "This is exactly what America wants to achieve."
The future missile shield in Europe is absolutely vague as missile shield is being assessed in a different way in the United States," Rahr said.
"I agree with the observers who think that new U.S. administration wants to propose Russia a deal - U.S. refuses to deploy missile shield in Poland and Czech Republic and Russia takes steps to halt Iran's nuclear program," expert said.
"This is absolutely realistic. Moscow will be demanded to cease nuclear cooperation with Iran and admit that Iran's nuclear program poses a threat for Russia as well and that the Kremlin will not hinder further sanction by West against Tehran and will not supply missile weapons to Iran," he said.
"The most important for Obama is to halt Iran's nuclear program. "Non-nuclear" Iran addresses or at least eases problems in the Middle East related to Israel and keeps back Tel-Aviv who can launch a war against Iran otherwise," Rahr said.
The U.S.-Iran ties were severed in 1990. Ties have also been stalled due to Tehran's nuclear program. Washington is suspicious about peaceful purpose of the program.
Rahr said the U.S. can not simply wage a war on two fronts - against Islamic fundamentalism in Iraq, containment of Iran and containment of Russia. It costs the White House too much. The U.S. lacks enough resources for this at the moment. "Therefore they cynically and in cold blood consider that the least enemy at the moment is Russia. It should be removed from the list of enemies. The agreement must be reached with Medvedev. The American missile shield is being as a prize in this policy," Rahr said.
/Trend News/
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