9 February 2007
Ivanov wrong to say scrapping of missiles was a mistake - Gorbachev
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov is wrong to say the scrapping of medium and short-range missiles was a "serious mistake," former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev said.
"I was surprised to hear some of his theses, especially the one that the destruction of medium and short-range missiles was "one of the most serious mistakes," Gorbachev told Interfax.
The decision to scrap these missiles was not a unilateral action on the part of the Soviet leadership, he said.
"We inherited the problem of missile confrontation in Europe, which was aggravated by the former leadership's decision to deploy SS-20 ballistic missiles," he said.
"The U.S. responded by deploying Pershing missiles in Europe. They could hit important centers in Russia within a 5-minute flight. Ipersonally visited the anti-aircraft command center, talked to scientists and the military. They confirmed that there was no shield from such missiles. This is like a pistol being placed at your head", Gorbachev said.
"The arms race led to the situation when an accident or a technical fault could have triggered a nuclear conflict.
"The minister's statement that it wouldn't be bad to have such missiles now arouses concern. A political line in the spirit of a new nuclear arms race is being imposed on the parliament," he said.
"Of course, we need reliable defense. But as President Putin has repeatedly said, we don't need an arms race. I support his call for resuming dialogue on pressing disarmament problems, above all, on a replacement for the START treaty which will expire in 2009," Gorbachevadded.
"Authoritative U.S. policy veterans George Schultz, Henry Kissinger, William Perry and Sam Nunn published an article calling for the process of nuclear disarmament to be unfrozen," he said.
"I agree with them. A sober and responsible approach is needed. Otherwise, we will do what 'wouldn't be bad' and then will have to clear up the mess," Gorbachev said.
Interfax, 9.02.2007
