Russia Welcomes US Reaction to Its European Missile Defense PlanRussian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov Wednesday welcomed the US statement that Washington is ready to consider a Russian proposal for a non-strategic missile defense system in Europe."Moscow has noticed a Pentagon official's remarks that the White House is prepared to study the Russian plan of setting up a non-strategic European missile defense system," Ivanov told a news conference after talks with his Irish counterpart Brian Cowen. "We welcome this constructive approach and are open for the widest possible dialogue with the US," Ivanov said. "Our proposals show that solutions are possible that can counter threats under the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty," Ivanov said. Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev on Tuesday offered a proposal to visiting NATO General Secretary George Robertson for protecting Europe from possible missile threats, which is fundamentally different from Washington's proposed national missile defense program. Russia's project involves three stages for the pan-European system's deployment: a conference of skilled experts to decide whether there is any threat of non-strategic missile strikes on European countries; measures will be taken to counter or neutralize missile threats by political or other peaceful means, if experts conclude that such threats exist or could arise; mobile elements of a missile defense system will be created and be deployed in the most threatening directions so as to cover key targets, if peaceful means fail. The NATO chief expressed positive reaction to Russia's suggestion, saying the alliance will seriously study the details of the proposal. |
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