Russia Warns Of Adequate Response To Prevent Space Militarization

Russia warns of adequate response to prevent space militarization

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2....5772&PageNum=0

06.02.2005, 10.32

BAIKONUR, June 2 (Itar-Tass) - Russia will take adequate measures should the United States or any other country realize plans for the militarization of space, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov declared in reply to a question asked by Itar-Tass.

"Russia’s position on that problem remains unchanged for decades: we are categorically against the militarization of space. If any country attempts to realize such plans Russia beyond doubt will take adequate measures in return," the defence minister said.

Space is a sphere in which Russia should become a highly developed state, Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said.

The Russian Defence Ministry will move several space programmes to the northern cosmodrome Plesetsk, “but this does not mean that we are going to refuse to use Baikonur”, Ivanov said.

“We want to leave there a military component that must solve defence tasks. There are no plans of withdrawing from Baikonur any of our regiments of battalions. There must be as many military servicemen as is necessary for solving defence and security tasks.”

Ivanov said the formation of the Russian Space Troops four years ago was an “absolutely justified decision”.

“This is not only security of the country, but also science, high technology, the creation of spacecraft. If we say that Russia must survive in the current complex international conditions, space is a sphere where we should become a prosperous, highly developed state,” Ivanov said.