U.S. fails to keep its word on missiles: Moscow
Published: 23 November, 2007, 19:24
A new U.S. compromise proposal on missile defence shield in Eastern Europe does not tally with offers made verbally by senior American officials last month, according to Russia's Foreign Ministry.
In October the U.S. pledged that its missile defence system would not threaten Russia's interests, and that the two countries could jointly oversee all facilities.
A source in Russia's Foreign Ministry has told ‘RIA Novosti’ news agency that these conditions do not seem to figure in the documents it has now received for consideration.
The proposal envisaged the integration of Russian, U.S. and NATO elements of missile defence into one joint early warning system.
Russia is opposed to U.S. plans to build a radar system in the Czech Republic and install interceptor missiles in Poland, saying it would pose a threat to its national security.
The U.S. says the shield is intended to counter potential threats from Iran.
Earlier this year, Moscow offered Washington joint use of the Russian-operated early-warning radar station in Azerbaijan instead. But the Pentagon gave the suggestion a luke-warm welcome.
Russia is planning to the raise the missile defence issue at the Middle East Peace Conference, due to be held on November 27 in the U.S. city of Annapolis.
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