D.C., December 10, 2007 - Previously secret Soviet Politburo records and declassified American transcripts of the Washington summit 20 years ago between President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev show that Gorbachev was willing to go much further than the Americans expected or were able to reciprocate on arms cuts and resolving regional conflicts, according to documents posted today by the National Security Archive at George Washington University (www.nsarchive.org).
Today's posting includes the internal Soviet deliberations leading up to the summit, full transcripts of the two leaders' discussions, the Soviet record of negotiations with top American diplomats, and other historic records being published for the first time.
The documents show that the Soviet Union made significant changes to its initial position to accommodate the U.S. demands, beginning with "untying the package" of strategic arms, missile defense, and INF in February 1987 and then agreeing to eliminate its newly deployed OKA/SS-23 missiles, while pressing the U.S. leadership to agree on substantial reductions of strategic nuclear weapons. Gorbachev's goal was to prepare and sign the START Treaty on the basis of 50 percent reductions of strategic offensive weapons in 1988 before the Reagan administration left office. In the course of negotiations, the Soviet Union also proposed cutting conventional forces in Europe by 25 percent and starting negotiations to eliminate chemical weapons.
The documents also detail Gorbachev's desire for genuine collaboration with the U.S. in resolving regional conflicts, especially the Iran-Iraq War, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Nicaragua. However, the documents show that the U.S. side was unwilling and unable to pursue many of the Soviet initiatives at the time due to political struggles within the Reagan administration. Reading these documents one gets a visceral sense of missed opportunities for achieving even deeper cuts in nuclear arsenals, resolving regional conflicts, and ending the Cold War even earlier.
The documents paint the fullest declassified portrait yet available of the Washington summit which ended 20 years ago today and centered on the signing of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty--the only treaty of its kind in actually eliminating an entire class of nuclear weapons. By eliminating mainly the missiles based in Europe, the treaty lowered the threat of nuclear war in Europe substantially and cleared the way for negotiations on tactical nuclear and chemical weapons, as well as negotiations on conventional forces in Europe.
Under the Treaty, the Soviet Union destroyed 889 of its intermediate-range missiles and 957 shorter-range missiles, and the U.S. destroyed 677 and 169 respectively. These were the missiles with very short flight time to targets in the Soviet Union, which made them "most likely to spur escalation to general nuclear war from any local hostilities that might erupt." These weapons were perceived as most threatening by the Soviet leadership, which is why the Soviet military supported the Treaty, even though there was a significant opposition among them to including the shorter-range weapons.
The Treaty included remarkably extensive and intrusive verification inspection and monitoring arrangements, based on the "any time and place" proposal of March 1987, which was accepted by the Soviets to the Americans' surprise; and the documents show that the Soviets were willing to go beyond the American position in the depth of verification regime. The new Soviet position on verification not only removed the hurdle that seemed insurmountable, but according to then-U.S. Ambassador to the USSR Jack Matlock, became a symbol of the new trust developing in U.S.-Soviet relations, which made the treaty and further progress on arms control possible.
The documents published here for the first time give the reader a unique and never-previously-available opportunity to look into the process of internal deliberations on both sides and the negotiations both before and during the summit in December 1987.
Visit the Web site of the National Security Archive for more information about today's posting. http://www.nsarchive.org
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
America Supports You: Deployed Units Get Boost From Donated Computers
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 10, 2007 - Many deployed servicemembers have received a morale boost thanks to computers donated by a Michigan-based organization. "We are a group of volunteers (who) rebuild laptop computers and supply them to deployed units for (morale, welfare and recreation), education and entertainment," said James R. Payne, a Vietnam veteran who's president of JDS Computer Donations.
The group accepts laptops, which it refurbishes and donates to nonprofit groups, public schools, and most recently, to deployed servicemembers. Nearly 500 of the refurbished machines already have been sent overseas to help servicemembers keep in touch with their loved ones back home.
Payne and his volunteers have received many responses from grateful servicemembers, many of which appear on the JDS Computer Donations Web site. One from the executive officer of Company A, 50th Signal Battalion, is a good summary of the sentiment expressed by others.
"On behalf of the soldiers, NCOs, and officers of Alpha Company, 50th Signal Battalion, I want to express how grateful we are for the donation of laptops to our unit," said Army 1st Lt. Benjamin Quimby. "Especially with the price of telephone minutes being so high, being able to use computers to communicate to loved ones back in the States is a convenience that we do not take for granted.
"Your effort in supporting our deployed soldiers is inspiring and represents the true heart of the American people," he concluded.
JDS Computer Donation as part of the Any Soldier Inc. support team. Both JDS Computer Donations and Any Soldier Inc. are supporters of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 10, 2007 - Many deployed servicemembers have received a morale boost thanks to computers donated by a Michigan-based organization. "We are a group of volunteers (who) rebuild laptop computers and supply them to deployed units for (morale, welfare and recreation), education and entertainment," said James R. Payne, a Vietnam veteran who's president of JDS Computer Donations.
The group accepts laptops, which it refurbishes and donates to nonprofit groups, public schools, and most recently, to deployed servicemembers. Nearly 500 of the refurbished machines already have been sent overseas to help servicemembers keep in touch with their loved ones back home.
Payne and his volunteers have received many responses from grateful servicemembers, many of which appear on the JDS Computer Donations Web site. One from the executive officer of Company A, 50th Signal Battalion, is a good summary of the sentiment expressed by others.
"On behalf of the soldiers, NCOs, and officers of Alpha Company, 50th Signal Battalion, I want to express how grateful we are for the donation of laptops to our unit," said Army 1st Lt. Benjamin Quimby. "Especially with the price of telephone minutes being so high, being able to use computers to communicate to loved ones back in the States is a convenience that we do not take for granted.
"Your effort in supporting our deployed soldiers is inspiring and represents the true heart of the American people," he concluded.
JDS Computer Donation as part of the Any Soldier Inc. support team. Both JDS Computer Donations and Any Soldier Inc. are supporters of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.
Understanding Helps Families, Soldiers Deal With Brain Injuries
By Kimberly Gearhart
Special to American Forces Press Service
Dec. 10, 2007 - A pilot program is assessing soldiers returning here from Iraq for possible mild traumatic brain injury. Mild traumatic brain injury, or mTBI, has been called the signature wound of the war on terror. Identifying and treating that injury has become a priority for Army medical commands worldwide.
The pilot testing program uses "automated neuropsychological assessment metrics" to identify affected soldiers. The first post-deployment mTBI screenings are being conducted here as part of the reintegration process for soldiers of 2nd "Dagger" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.
"The screening is intended to take pre-deployment measurements for a baseline, then retest after the deployment to measure for differences," said Army Lt. Col. Daniel Duecker, Schweinfurt Health Clinic commander.
In the case of the soldiers of the Dagger Brigade, however, no baseline reading was taken prior to their deployment. Consequently, Army Col. Mary Lopez, project officer in charge of the testing project, was unsure of what results -- if any -- her team would unearth.
"I didn't expect the testing to tell us much without the baseline for comparison, but the garrison commander (requested) it, ... because it's the right thing to do for the soldiers," said Lopez, who is a member of the Army's Surgeon General Office.
Lopez added that the range of results considered normal is broad, and of all pre-screenings performed, "we've not found anyone that legitimately fell below the norms."
This is why having a baseline for comparison is more precise, as it allows for a comparison between soldiers' post-deployment performance and their own norms.
What they found in testing Schweinfurt soldiers, however, surprised Lopez and her team. Thanks to key questions imbedded in the tests, Lopez and her team were able to identify soldiers at risk for mTBI and recommend follow-up through the Schweinfurt Health Clinic.
The key factors in a case of mTBI include an injury event -- such as a blow to the head -- which causes an alteration of consciousness. Such "alteration" can be losing consciousness, seeing stars or simply being temporarily disoriented. "Compared to those who reported no injury, we found significant differences in reaction time, concentration, and short-term memory" in soldiers reporting at-risk incidents, Lopez explained.
Results from the first groups to complete mTBI screening were provided to the area medical command. "Colonel Lopez's team was able to ... let the providers here know what they can expect to see in Schweinfurt, so that we can channel our resources in the best way to help these soldiers," said Army Col. Theresa Schneider, Bavarian Medical Department Activity commander.
Once the pilot program is fully tested, Lopez hopes to push it out to medical facilities in theater, where soldiers can be tested and their recovery tracked by doctors downrange, she said. "Soldiers (with mTBI), like football players on the field, look physically normal, but they're different. Their reaction time is off, concentration is off, and in a war-time environment, that's very dangerous," Lopez said.
With the assessment tool, doctors will be able to monitor recovery in such a way as to ensure soldiers are not returned to the fight until their recovery is complete, she said. "It is a treatable condition. They do recover," Lopez said, noting that patience, time and understanding are keys to coping with and treating mTBI.
Once soldiers return from deployment, family members may begin noticing irritability, sleeplessness, chronic headaches, clumsiness, and memory problems. This five-symptom cluster is a common sign of mTBI, with families often the first to notice such changes.
"The family is the most important element in any kind of rehab," Lopez stressed. "We see the soldier for an hour or two; you are with him every day. It is important for families to understand what the recovery process is and what they can do to help."
"The (soldier) is different, but they do recover. You have to understand that they are going to forget things and they're going to be irritable, but once the headaches stop and the sleeplessness ends, there will be improvement," the colonel said.
Soldiers often may be reluctant to seek treatment, Schneider noted, and it may fall to spouses to ensure soldiers are helped. Overall, she said, "there are (many) avenues available: the clinic, family readiness group, chain of command and the chaplain. The important thing is to get people talking about and aware of the situation."
(Kimberly Gearhart is assigned to U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt Public Affairs.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Dec. 10, 2007 - A pilot program is assessing soldiers returning here from Iraq for possible mild traumatic brain injury. Mild traumatic brain injury, or mTBI, has been called the signature wound of the war on terror. Identifying and treating that injury has become a priority for Army medical commands worldwide.
The pilot testing program uses "automated neuropsychological assessment metrics" to identify affected soldiers. The first post-deployment mTBI screenings are being conducted here as part of the reintegration process for soldiers of 2nd "Dagger" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.
"The screening is intended to take pre-deployment measurements for a baseline, then retest after the deployment to measure for differences," said Army Lt. Col. Daniel Duecker, Schweinfurt Health Clinic commander.
In the case of the soldiers of the Dagger Brigade, however, no baseline reading was taken prior to their deployment. Consequently, Army Col. Mary Lopez, project officer in charge of the testing project, was unsure of what results -- if any -- her team would unearth.
"I didn't expect the testing to tell us much without the baseline for comparison, but the garrison commander (requested) it, ... because it's the right thing to do for the soldiers," said Lopez, who is a member of the Army's Surgeon General Office.
Lopez added that the range of results considered normal is broad, and of all pre-screenings performed, "we've not found anyone that legitimately fell below the norms."
This is why having a baseline for comparison is more precise, as it allows for a comparison between soldiers' post-deployment performance and their own norms.
What they found in testing Schweinfurt soldiers, however, surprised Lopez and her team. Thanks to key questions imbedded in the tests, Lopez and her team were able to identify soldiers at risk for mTBI and recommend follow-up through the Schweinfurt Health Clinic.
The key factors in a case of mTBI include an injury event -- such as a blow to the head -- which causes an alteration of consciousness. Such "alteration" can be losing consciousness, seeing stars or simply being temporarily disoriented. "Compared to those who reported no injury, we found significant differences in reaction time, concentration, and short-term memory" in soldiers reporting at-risk incidents, Lopez explained.
Results from the first groups to complete mTBI screening were provided to the area medical command. "Colonel Lopez's team was able to ... let the providers here know what they can expect to see in Schweinfurt, so that we can channel our resources in the best way to help these soldiers," said Army Col. Theresa Schneider, Bavarian Medical Department Activity commander.
Once the pilot program is fully tested, Lopez hopes to push it out to medical facilities in theater, where soldiers can be tested and their recovery tracked by doctors downrange, she said. "Soldiers (with mTBI), like football players on the field, look physically normal, but they're different. Their reaction time is off, concentration is off, and in a war-time environment, that's very dangerous," Lopez said.
With the assessment tool, doctors will be able to monitor recovery in such a way as to ensure soldiers are not returned to the fight until their recovery is complete, she said. "It is a treatable condition. They do recover," Lopez said, noting that patience, time and understanding are keys to coping with and treating mTBI.
Once soldiers return from deployment, family members may begin noticing irritability, sleeplessness, chronic headaches, clumsiness, and memory problems. This five-symptom cluster is a common sign of mTBI, with families often the first to notice such changes.
"The family is the most important element in any kind of rehab," Lopez stressed. "We see the soldier for an hour or two; you are with him every day. It is important for families to understand what the recovery process is and what they can do to help."
"The (soldier) is different, but they do recover. You have to understand that they are going to forget things and they're going to be irritable, but once the headaches stop and the sleeplessness ends, there will be improvement," the colonel said.
Soldiers often may be reluctant to seek treatment, Schneider noted, and it may fall to spouses to ensure soldiers are helped. Overall, she said, "there are (many) avenues available: the clinic, family readiness group, chain of command and the chaplain. The important thing is to get people talking about and aware of the situation."
(Kimberly Gearhart is assigned to U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt Public Affairs.)
New Pentagon Channel Program Serves Its First Course
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 10, 2007 - The Pentagon Channel today served hungry television audiences its newest recipe for entertainment, a half-hour cooking show called "The Grill Sergeants." With a military flavor, each episode will teach audience members how to prepare a single food theme -- cakes, pies or turkey entrées, for example -- while the in-house Army jazz quartet "The Taste Buds," who also act as official taste testers, play the show's score. To pique the appetites of Defense Department staffers ahead of the program's noon debut, the program's host and producer served the chef's signature Louisiana-style gumbo in the Pentagon concourse.
"I love cooking gumbo," said host Army Sgt. 1st Class Brad Turner, taking a break from serving cups filled with sausage, seafood and chicken gumbo to hungry workers. "It is probably the easiest dish to feed a mass of people, and it's filling, it's wonderful, and whomever I'm cooking for, I can always adapt it to them."
Turner is stationed at Fort Lee, Va., and was one of several military "Grill Sergeants" chosen to host the program. The chef, a charismatic showman with nearly 17 years of military experience, said "The Grill Sergeants" differs from other cooking shows in that it caters to a servicemember audience, with much of the dialogue peppered with military overtones.
In his favorite episode, titled "Saving Private Dining," Turner serenades The Taste Buds' bassist and his wife as they share a romantic fare that includes shrimp scampi and bananas foster cheesecake, which Turner had just cooked. "They just sat and eyeballed each other and took some time to be together," the chef said. "It doesn't get much better than that."
Turner's palette is borne of a New Orleans passion for food and, like many natives of the Big Easy, doesn't eat to live; he lives to eat. The chef said his favorite part of cooking is the unity that emerges through preparing meals.
"I give (the audience) the ability to share themselves with other people," the host said. "If you bake cookies with your kids, if you take time to cook with your spouse, if you take time to do that, that kind of gesture is irreplaceable."
Turner hopes "The Grill Sergeants" will encourage families, especially military families distanced by deployments and busy work schedules, to relish moments in the kitchen together, preparing dishes in easy steps outlined in the follow-along cooking show.
"You gotta eat three times a day," he said. "When your stomach says you're hungry, why take some time to think, 'Who have I not spoken to today?' That's three times a day that you can show love."
Linda Doditch, producer of "The Grill Sergeants," said the program was conceived as a way to expand the Pentagon Channel's offering of "lifestyle" programming. "It focuses on healthy eating, nutrition and food safety tips," she said. "And, of course, we're incorporating a lot of fun and good recipes and down-home cooking that anybody can make."
Doditch noted that recipes appearing on the show will be available on the program's Web site. One of the satisfied Pentagon staffers who enjoyed the gumbo medley said she plans to download the recipe and prepare it for her family.
"The gumbo is delicious; I want seconds," Defense Department employee Joanne Johnson said. "I certainly am going to try making this."
"The Grill Sergeants" will air Mondays at noon Eastern Time and also will be available on the Pentagon Channel's Web site, www.pentagonchannel.mil.
American Forces Press Service
Dec. 10, 2007 - The Pentagon Channel today served hungry television audiences its newest recipe for entertainment, a half-hour cooking show called "The Grill Sergeants." With a military flavor, each episode will teach audience members how to prepare a single food theme -- cakes, pies or turkey entrées, for example -- while the in-house Army jazz quartet "The Taste Buds," who also act as official taste testers, play the show's score. To pique the appetites of Defense Department staffers ahead of the program's noon debut, the program's host and producer served the chef's signature Louisiana-style gumbo in the Pentagon concourse.
"I love cooking gumbo," said host Army Sgt. 1st Class Brad Turner, taking a break from serving cups filled with sausage, seafood and chicken gumbo to hungry workers. "It is probably the easiest dish to feed a mass of people, and it's filling, it's wonderful, and whomever I'm cooking for, I can always adapt it to them."
Turner is stationed at Fort Lee, Va., and was one of several military "Grill Sergeants" chosen to host the program. The chef, a charismatic showman with nearly 17 years of military experience, said "The Grill Sergeants" differs from other cooking shows in that it caters to a servicemember audience, with much of the dialogue peppered with military overtones.
In his favorite episode, titled "Saving Private Dining," Turner serenades The Taste Buds' bassist and his wife as they share a romantic fare that includes shrimp scampi and bananas foster cheesecake, which Turner had just cooked. "They just sat and eyeballed each other and took some time to be together," the chef said. "It doesn't get much better than that."
Turner's palette is borne of a New Orleans passion for food and, like many natives of the Big Easy, doesn't eat to live; he lives to eat. The chef said his favorite part of cooking is the unity that emerges through preparing meals.
"I give (the audience) the ability to share themselves with other people," the host said. "If you bake cookies with your kids, if you take time to cook with your spouse, if you take time to do that, that kind of gesture is irreplaceable."
Turner hopes "The Grill Sergeants" will encourage families, especially military families distanced by deployments and busy work schedules, to relish moments in the kitchen together, preparing dishes in easy steps outlined in the follow-along cooking show.
"You gotta eat three times a day," he said. "When your stomach says you're hungry, why take some time to think, 'Who have I not spoken to today?' That's three times a day that you can show love."
Linda Doditch, producer of "The Grill Sergeants," said the program was conceived as a way to expand the Pentagon Channel's offering of "lifestyle" programming. "It focuses on healthy eating, nutrition and food safety tips," she said. "And, of course, we're incorporating a lot of fun and good recipes and down-home cooking that anybody can make."
Doditch noted that recipes appearing on the show will be available on the program's Web site. One of the satisfied Pentagon staffers who enjoyed the gumbo medley said she plans to download the recipe and prepare it for her family.
"The gumbo is delicious; I want seconds," Defense Department employee Joanne Johnson said. "I certainly am going to try making this."
"The Grill Sergeants" will air Mondays at noon Eastern Time and also will be available on the Pentagon Channel's Web site, www.pentagonchannel.mil.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
