Russian President Proposes Europe Join Anti-missile SystemRussian President Vladimir Putin said in Berlin Friday that Europe should join Russia and the United States in building a new anti-missile defence system.German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said on Friday that proposals from Russia on cooperating on European anti-missile defences deserved consideration and should be discussed by NATO and Moscow. At a joint news conference after two days of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Schroeder said both Russia and the United States had a special responsibility to avoid any return to a nuclear arms race. Schroeder has previously supported Putin's view that US plans for a National Missile Defence against rogue nuclear states could upset existing disarmament treaties. Putin insisted in Berlin on Thursday that his proposal to share Russian technology to give Europe a missile shield was feasible. US officials have voiced scepticism. Meanwhile, Schroeder called Friday for Russia to be associated with the organisation of European defence and security. "In the long term there can be no peace in Europe if Russia is not included," he said, speaking alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/ |