Russia Warns U.S. on Nuclear Pre-Emption Policy

A change in U.S. defense doctrine allowing for pre-emptive nuclear strikes to block enemy WMD attacks could lead to increased proliferation, Russia warned the United States yesterday (see GSN, Sept. 12).

“Lowering the threshold for use of atomic weapons is in itself dangerous,” said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov.

“Such plans do not limit, but in fact promote efforts by others to develop (nuclear weapons),” Ivanov said.

Ivanov said he hoped U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld would inform him of changes in the Doctrine for Joint Nuclear Operations that allow for nuclear pre-emption.

Rumsfeld has not yet received the document, which is expected to be signed within the next few weeks by the director of the Joint Staff, according to a Defense Department spokesman (Reuters, Sept. 13).

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