March 27, 2012, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson today issued the following statement responding to Barack Obama’s candid statement to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev saying he needed “space” and would have “more flexibility” after the election to deal with missile defense:
“There is no space needed when it comes to missile defense, something Russia has never supported since the Star Wars program was initiated by President Reagan in the 1980s. Obama either supports the nuclear defense shield or he doesn’t. The only thing he would need flexibility for is to weaken the U.S. position on missile defense without electoral repercussions.
“In 2009, Obama already cancelled plans for the wider shield in Poland and the Czech Republic that would have provided protection to our allies from Russian and other missiles. The Administration foolishly claimed long-range missiles were not a threat. Really? At the same time, the State Department this year said the Administration is ‘committed to pursuing missile defense cooperation with Russia’. Does that include further dismantling of our capabilities and leaving our allies in no-man’s land?
“Making matters worse, this year, it was revealed the Administration is also exploring the possibility of reducing the nation’s nuclear stockpile to as few as 300 at a time when Russia and China are expanding their nuclear capabilities.
“It is one thing to pursue mutual arms reductions among major powers and to further halt nuclear proliferation, as in the Reagan-Gorbachev era, but to do so unilaterally — in exchange for nothing — is suicidal. Missile defense is not something we should ever be flexible with. It’s non-negotiable. The U.S. will not be subject to nuclear blackmail. What is Obama thinking?”
Interview Availability: Please contact Rebekah Rast at (703) 383-0880 or at rrast@getliberty.org to arrange an interview with ALG President Bill Wilson.