05-02-2011, 12:14 PM
America is to give the Russians details of Britain's Trident missiles under a new treaty, according to the latest WikiLeaks revelations.
The deal, which will be signed by U.S. President Barack Obama next week, will see Moscow given information about the missiles, which are manufactured and maintained in America.
The Daily Telegraph claims the Americans used the details of British nuclear secrets as a 'bargaining chip' to persuade Russia to sign the key treaty.
Experts told the newspaper - which has obtained hundreds of leaked US embassy cables from Wikileaks - that the arms control deal could undermine Britain's policy of not confirming the numbers of missiles.
The U.S.-Russia deal was not supposed to have any impact on Britain, but the Telegraph says the classified messages sent to Washington show how details on Britain's weaponry was 'crucial' to the New START deal.
The messages reportedly show Russia demanded more information on the UK Trident programme - and so Washington asked London for permission to hand over details about the UK missiles' performance.
Following the UK refusal, the US agreed to give the serial numbers of missiles it transfers to Britain.
Professor Malcolm Chalmers told the paper: 'This appears to be significant because while the UK has announced how many missiles it possesses, there has been no way for the Russians to verify this.
'Over time, the unique identifiers will provide them with another data point to gauge the size of the British arsenal.'
Duncan Lennox, editor of Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems, added: 'They want to find out whether Britain has more missiles than we say we have, and having the unique identifiers might help them.'
http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newsp...-WikiLeaks
The deal, which will be signed by U.S. President Barack Obama next week, will see Moscow given information about the missiles, which are manufactured and maintained in America.
The Daily Telegraph claims the Americans used the details of British nuclear secrets as a 'bargaining chip' to persuade Russia to sign the key treaty.
Experts told the newspaper - which has obtained hundreds of leaked US embassy cables from Wikileaks - that the arms control deal could undermine Britain's policy of not confirming the numbers of missiles.
The U.S.-Russia deal was not supposed to have any impact on Britain, but the Telegraph says the classified messages sent to Washington show how details on Britain's weaponry was 'crucial' to the New START deal.
The messages reportedly show Russia demanded more information on the UK Trident programme - and so Washington asked London for permission to hand over details about the UK missiles' performance.
Following the UK refusal, the US agreed to give the serial numbers of missiles it transfers to Britain.
Professor Malcolm Chalmers told the paper: 'This appears to be significant because while the UK has announced how many missiles it possesses, there has been no way for the Russians to verify this.
'Over time, the unique identifiers will provide them with another data point to gauge the size of the British arsenal.'
Duncan Lennox, editor of Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems, added: 'They want to find out whether Britain has more missiles than we say we have, and having the unique identifiers might help them.'
http://nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newsp...-WikiLeaks
"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it." Karl Marx
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.
:ballchain: help together by our mutual history and almost mutual language.....but suspenders on farmer Bubba with the pot belly are not suspenders on Ms. Dolly in the knee-high leather boots with the stiletto heels and 'G' string.