Russia Criticizes US Missile Shield Plans In Europe

"Military-technical cooperation between Russia and Iran is governed by international law and bilateral agreements," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mikhail Kamynin said.

US Anti-Missile System Plans Mistaken Says Russia
Moscow (AFP) Jan 26 - US plans to deploy an anti-missile defence system in eastern Europe are "mistaken" and require "serious" discussion, Russia's foreign ministry spokesman said Friday. The plans are "a mistaken step with negative consequences for international security," ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said in a statement. "All these questions will be the object of the most serious analysis and discussion with the United States and its partners," he added.

Poland and the Czech Republic, which are both now members of the western NATO alliance, were formerly within the Moscow-dominated Warsaw Pact during the Cold War. The United States earlier this week confirmed it was soon to start formal talks with both eastern European countries on deploying a system of interceptor missiles, which Washington says will guard against potential missile attacks from Iran and North Korea.

On Thursday, the US Missile Defence Agency chief, General Henry Obering, denied that the system was directed at Russia. "They (interceptors) are directed toward rogue nations' capabilities not obviously a sophisticated ballistic missile fleet such as the Russians have," he said.

by Staff Writers
Moscow (RIA Novosti) Jan 26, 2007
Russia's Foreign Ministry said Friday that U.S. plans to deploy elements of its missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic were "a move in the wrong direction" that could threaten global security. Washington officially proposed placing a radar network in the Czech Republic six days ago, and announced plans last Monday to start formal talks with Poland on the deployment of anti-ballistic missile systems on its territory.

"The deployment of a U.S. anti-missile base in Europe is nothing but an attempt to reconfigure the United States' military presence in the region," the ministry's spokesperson Mikhail Kamynin said.

The U.S. has repeatedly argued that defenses in Europe could intercept possible intercontinental ballistic missiles from "rogue" regimes, such as Iran and North Korea.

Moscow has always strongly opposed the deployment of an anti-missile shield in its former backyard in Central Europe, describing the plans as a threat to Russian national security.

"Despite numerous assurances that this [missile defense] base will not be used against Russia, we cannot fail to see this move as part of U.S. plans to set up a strategic component to its military contingent in the region," Kamynin said.

He also said Russia will have to consider the presence of a U.S. missile defense base near its borders when determining its international policy and developing its military strategy.

At the same time, the Russian diplomat again defended the sale of 29 Tor-M1 air defense missile systems to Iran, reiterating that the delivery under a 2005 contract did not violate any of Russia's international obligations.

"Military-technical cooperation between Russia and Iran is governed by international law and bilateral agreements," he said.

The Tor-M1, developed by the Russian company Almaz-Antei, is a high-precision missile system designed to destroy aircraft, manned or unmanned, and cruise missiles flying at an altitude of up to 10 kilometers (6 miles). Each system is equipped with 8 short-range missiles, associating radars, fire control systems and a battery command post.

The United States last year called for a halt to international arms exports to Iran, and for an end to nuclear cooperation with the country to pressure it to stop uranium enrichment. Israel has also criticized arms deals with Iran.

Source: RIA Novosti

MISSILE DEFENSE

Missile Defense System Not Aimed At Russia Says US

Washington (AFP) Jan 25, 2007
The US missile defense system planned for deployment in eastern Europe is not aimed at Russia and will not pose a threat to its ballistic missiles, the US Missile Defense Agency chief said Thursday. "They (interceptors) are directed toward rogue nations capabilities not obviously sophisticated ballistic missile fleet such as the Russians have," General Henry Obering told a telephone press conference.

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