Pentagon offers Russia to measure U.S. missile defense testsOctober 19, 2011 - 09:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States has invited Russia to use its own equipment, including radar, to measure U.S. missile defense tests. According to RFE/RL, the director of the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency, Army Lieutenant General Patrick O'Reilly, said such action should convince Moscow the missiles are not powerful enough to threaten its own strategic deterrent missiles which are based deep inside Russia. O'Reilly, said the SM-3 interceptor, to be based on land and sea, "can't reach that far." Ellen Tauscher, Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, said the United States is prepared to offer Moscow written assurances that the system being built in Europe is not directed against Moscow. But Taucher also added: "We cannot provide legally binding commitments, nor can we agree to limitations on missile defense, which must necessarily keep pace with the evolution of the threat." Tauscher repeated Washington's desire to cooperate with Moscow on the project, but cautioned the opportunity to do so was not an "infinite opportunity." Tauscher held talks on the topic with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov last week in Moscow. Tauscher and O'Reilly were both speaking at a forum in Washington hosted by the Atlantic Council. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. |