On the recordDecember 18, 2010
I thank the Chair. It is a different thing. It would be ready only by 2020. So I contend that this administration, as part of the negotiations over this treaty, in their too-anxious-desire to get this treaty, to reset the relationship with the Russians, which we of course want to do, made a very serious error in capitulating on the third site--sending shock waves among our sovereign nation allies in Central Europe, which used to be a part of the Soviet empire. They have made concessions that are significant. As a matter of fact, they pretend it had nothing to do with the treaty, but I would say there is no doubt that the abandonment of the Polish site was a way to gain support of the Russians as part of the negotiations in this treaty. And we now have this ephemeral, chimeric vision of a 2020 entirely new missile system for Poland that may or may not ever reach fruition. Those are my concerns. The McCain amendment would say let's get this straight with the Russians and make Congress know that if it requires a new negotiation with the Russians, so be it. Maybe we can reach an understanding. You could never enter into a treaty or any contract in which the parties have a serious misunderstanding or actual disagreement on a critical part. I thank the Chair and reserve the remainder of the time on this side. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Massachusetts is recognized.
