I am skeptical about Paul Webster’s thesis that we might be rearming Russia (“Is the West Rearming Russia?”, Nov/Dec 2003). First, I do not think Russia is rearming; rather it may be modernizing its navy, and although the sums being spent are relatively large, they are minuscule compared to what the U.S. devotes to military spending.

Second, I think the reason for at least some of the modernization on the nuclear side is directly connected to U.S. withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, and its decision to move forward on a National Missile Defence system, which the Russians need to consider how to counter.

Third, some would argue Russia’s military capability has seriously deteriorated, to the extent that its blue-water (open sea) naval capability is in question – i.e. most of its naval assets are tied up and rusting. I do not think the Russians will be able to afford to return to the military might they once had.

As to whether Canadians are contributing to rearming, our resources are very carefully targeted at what both we and the Russians see as important priorities for a more secure world. By the way, the Russians are also contributing resources to the securing and disposal of nuclear fuel and the destruction of biological and chemical weapons.
Rod Irwin
Former Canadian Ambassador to Russia
Ottawa

Paul Webster seems to wish to shock us by disclosing that Canada is spending (perhaps) one billion dollars to assist in the clean-up of military nuclear waste in post-communist Russia and avert a potential environmental disaster. That Canada might be gaining some advantage (commercial, scientific, political) in so doing is not given much ink. Rather, his thesis seems to be that those naughty Russians are taking advantage of our generosity in order to spend the astronomical sum of eleven billion dollars (U.S.) on “defense.”

You might consider running an exposé of Canadian support for the U.S. In its campaign to bring “freedom” to the world, our southern neighbours have budgeted just about $400 billion (2004 defense budget) to advance “democracy.” Ever wondered just why it is that a nation that is so “nice” needs so many weapons?
Jim Johnson
Winnipeg

I was pleased that Paul Webster high-lighted the dangers associated with Russia’s decommissioned nuclear sub-marines and how the G8 and other countries are co-operating to address this problem. These subs represent a serious security and environmental threat to Canada, the Arctic, and, indeed, to the international community as a whole.

Russia has more than 120 retired nuclear subs awaiting dismantlement. These boats are in deplorable condition. The threat posed by these retired subs is considerably more acute because the majority still retain nuclear fuel in their reactors. In addition, there are a number of other radioactive materials and poisons that, if released, could cause significant damage.