'China is our Greatest Rival in New Century'

US Department of Defense Pentagon indicated China is the most significant nominee to compete militarily against the US in the medium and long term.

In the Defense Revision report prepared about the most threatening forces against the US in the forthcoming 20 years, “China is stated as a force that can rule out the conventional US military advantages in the future.”

Russia and India are two other significant military forces of the 21st Century following China. “The US, surrounded by such forces, should seek new strategies” the reported determined. In a possible war with China, the US may have difficulties in finding “friendly bases” to carry out operations in this far away country, so Washington should develop systems that can perform accurate strikes on distant targets. The report also included that China should be directed towards economic growth and political liberation instead of military growth and added the US might execute operations against terrorist organization by using small scale nuclear and chemical weapons.

The report also emphasizes US forces to spare time to learn about the cultures of places where operations have not been formed such as African countries.

The plan states the US should develop better arms in the fight against terrorism and improve the relations with other countries. Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ryan Henry, who released the plan, said, “We know that we cannot win this long war alone.” If the report, which will be presented to the Congress on February 6, is approved, $439 billion from President Bush’s budget will be allocated for the expenses.


05.02.2006
Cihan News Agency
Washington
http://www.zaman.com/?bl=international&alt=&hn=29424