Define defensive weapon, U.S. tells Russia

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, MARCH 13. The Bush Administration has expressed concern at Russia's increased trade in ``defensive'' weapons and nuclear cooperation with Iran. The State Department has taken the position that sale of advanced conventional weapons or sensitive technologies are of particular concern to the U.S.

``It is particularly counter-productive for the Russians to sell things...in their neighbourhood, in areas that affect us as well as that might threaten us all,'' said the State Department spokesman, Mr. Richard Boucher. Washington, in the meantime, is saying that it is up to Moscow and Teheran to define what is meant by defensive weapons.

The Russian sale of weapons to Iran and cooperation in sensitive technologies has been a matter of concern to the U.S. in the last several years including during the eight years of the Clinton administration. ``The issue of Russian proliferation activities is a top priority issue for the administration. It's one that the United States has raised frequently with the Russians in the past and one that we will continue to raise into the future,'' said Mr. Boucher.

In the present context, the issue gets into sharper focus given the Bush Administration's seemingly tough posturings on such issues as the National Missile Defence System which is vehemently opposed by Russia.

The U.S. has also said the issue will be raised when Mr. Sergei Ivanov, Secretary of the Russian President's Security Council, meets the National Security Advisor, Ms. Condoleeza Rice, and the Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell, on Wednesday. ``... he is not coming to talk to us about this. But obviously we may end up talking about this to him.''

The U.S. is also expected to extend the six year trade and investment ban on Iran which will expire on Thursday if the President, Mr. George W Bush, does not renew it. The Republican administration has made it known that it has little stomach for sanctions, but for obvious political reasons punitive measures will be sought and maintained on some countries.

Gen. Powell has said on more than one occasion that Washington will seek to improve relations with Iran which has been in the deep freeze since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. At the same time no substantive changes in American policy can be expected for the next several months, including on the sanctions front. Aside from concerns on the nuclear and missile technology fronts, the U.S. accuses Iran of sponsoring terrorism and impeding the West Asia peace process.

The first major test for the administration will come in August when the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act expires. This focuses on penalising foreign energy firms doing business with the two countries. Several major firms in Europe and the Asia Pacific have consistently and blatantly flouted this law and the Bush Administration will have the ``choice'' of doing away with the law or reinforcing it in a meaningful fashion.

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Section  : International
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