Roscomos is the Russia Space Agency (click here)
Evidently, the Russians want to place GPS within USA borders. The article by the New York Times clearly states the USA agencies worried about this are conducting internal examination to the implication of such use of American facilities.
This is somewhat similar to a foreign interest purchasing American soil to build a business. The reason it is controversial is because it is Russia. While competition with US companies is cited as a reason to prohibit this activity, the problem really boils down to; does the USA allow Russia competition in telecommunications within the USA?
I guarantee if this was China the GOP would be looking the other way.
...But the C.I.A. and other American spy agencies, (click here) as well as the Pentagon, suspect that the monitor stations would give the Russians a foothold on American territory that would sharpen the accuracy of Moscow’s satellite-steered weapons. The stations, they believe, could also give the Russians an opening to snoop on the United States within its borders.
The squabble is serious enough that administration officials have delayed a final decision until the Russians provide more information and until the American agencies sort out their differences, State Department and White House officials said.
Russia’s efforts have also stirred concerns on Capitol Hill, where members of the intelligence and armed services committees view Moscow’s global positioning network — known as Glonass, for Global Navigation Satellite System — with deep suspicion and are demanding answers from the administration.
“I would like to understand why the United States would be interested in enabling a GPS competitor, like Russian Glonass, when the world’s reliance on GPS is a clear advantage to the United States on multiple levels,” said Representative Mike D. Rogers, Republican of Alabama, the chairman of a House Armed Services subcommittee.
Mr. Rogers last week asked the Pentagon to provide an assessment of the proposal’s impact on national security. The request was made in a letter sent to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, Secretary of State John Kerry and the director of national intelligence, James R. Clapper Jr....
But, it is reassuring the agencies that should be worried about these activities are doing so. They need to proceed to examine the requirements of Russian proposals so the national security of the USA is not compromised. Roscosmos is not a minor entity as NASA is not a minor entity. Both agencies are aligned with military interests, so the objections are reasonable.
The question will ultimately come down to the rights of other nations to participate in commercial competition in the telecommunication industry at the WTO. These requests by Russia aren't INTENDED to undermine the sovereignty of the USA, but, there is a potential that cannot be ignored.
It just never fails whenever Russia is involved they are labeled as "The Evil Empire" with only covert interests in their actions. In case no one noticed Russia is becoming a rather interesting country, including their application of capitalism to their communist infrastructure.
But.
The real problem with this request by Russia and if it were China or otherwise is the 'structure' of the participation of the government in the venture.
Capitalism fits well into Russia's culture. However, NASA is not engaged in private commercial competition and there in lies the problem.
If I may as be as so bold as to suggest a different approach by Russia in their requests. The USA government applies monies for support to the states through non-profit organizations. Those organizations were noted when President Obama was putting together an Infrastructure Bank proposal in The American Jobs Act. I can't help but believe for those countries with different forms of governing, ie: communism and/or monarchies, consider setting up their own non-profit organizations that can safely and without suspicion conduct productive relationships with democracies and other nations practicing socialism.
The reasons are obvious. There are going to be problems with national security at the WTO if governments can be proven to be a threat to other nations in their capitalistic ventures. So, alternate structures have to be looked at and oversight is important for these governments to minimize corruption and prevent such ventures from even backfiring. I can easily imagine such telecommunication enterprises being tapped by American spy agencies to carry out covert operations by the sponsoring country. So. To think such structures would insure only Russia could spy on the USA is completely naive.
When the USA sets up non-profits it is careful there is no conflict of interest between these governmental non-profits and the government issuing the funding and/or any private partners participating. This structure can work well for other nations seeking to conduct business with the USA in trade relations that do not have the business infrastructure or rather have their governing interests protected. It is well known the Russia government is concerned about the ever growing prowess of their oligarchs, if there are any left. But, as long as Russia is that concerned it needs to consider how to conduct these enterprises without causing Red Flags to go up throughout the national security interests of the USA.
When this is finally boiled down to a livable reality, it very well may be there are business activities too sensitive to extend in trade with other nations. But, today that is not known. At this point to pass a law prohibiting all other nations cannot place an antenna on USA soil is somewhat appropriate simply because all the security interests haven't filed their findings. So, the BEST policy at this point should be continued talks with Russia and a time limit of six months to one year of such an law. It needs sundown within a year to reexamine the concern about such enterprises.
I'll say this much. While these concerns seem legitimate, there are activities of listening already going on between the USA and Russia that have been going on for a long time. But, since the topic has arisen, it needs to be addressed and eventually it will take it's place among the G8, G20 and the WTO for hearings and adjudicated findings.
