Show Russia more respect

Iran won't be a threat to Europe for a long time, so there's no need for antimissile defense on Russia's doorstep.

from the June 11, 2007 edition

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Putin stated earlier this month that the creation of what he thinks would be an antimissile defense aimed at Russia would require a response in the form of target selection in Western Europe. The anger that causes decisions of this kind is dangerous to humanity. How many thousands of warheads does Russia still have?

Russia and Putin, as the head of Russia, clearly believe themselves to be held in little regard by the US. In Prague, Czech Republic, President Bush referred to Putin as "Vladimir." It is not likely that Putin wished to be referred to by his Christian name at a press conference in a country that is now an ally of the United States. Some consideration for the dignity of the head of state of a great country should have prevented that.

At Rostock, Germany, where the Group of 8 meeting was held, Putin proposed that the site of the antimissile defense should be in Azerbaijan and that Russia would want the program to be "transparent" to the world. On that basis, he said Russia would cooperate in this matter. Mr. Bush responded that this idea had merit and that America would carefully consider it.

These statements indicate a resumption of statesmanship on both sides. We must not forget that history did not, in fact, end with the fall of the USSR. Mankind is still at risk from far more dangerous weapons and vanities than those likely to be possessed by Islamic fanatics. The nuclear powers must treat one another with a prudent regard born both of self-interest and common courtesy.

There is no reason for the US to humiliate our former enemies and present friends. Let us be more careful!

• Patrick Lang is a retired senior officer of US Defense Intelligence.

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