Russia sees threat from US plan for missiles in eastern Europe

Jan 22 12:19 PM US/Eastern

A top Russian general warned that a missile defense system that the United States wants to deploy in eastern Europe would pose a "clear threat" to his country.

The United States confirmed it would soon begin formal talks on deploying the system in the Czech Republic and Poland, aimed at warding off rocket attacks from North Korea or Iran.

But General Vladimir Popovkin, who commands Russia's space forces, said that "our analysis shows that the location of the US base would be a clear threat to Russia."

The system would include 10 interceptor missiles and a radar which could be split between the Czech Republic and Poland.

"It's doubtful that Iranian or North Korean rockets would go across Poland or the Czech Republic," the general was quoted as saying by Russia's ITAR-TASS news agency.

"The radar in the Czech Republic would be able to monitor rocket installations in central Russia and the Northern Fleet."

The US embassy in Prague said in a statement that the United States had contacted the Czech and Polish governments "and will begin negotiations on the possible deployment of US missile defense assets on Czech and Polish territory."

"No final decision has been made and no timetable for negotiations has been established; however, the United States and the Czech Republic expect that these negotiations will begin soon."

Czech and Polish leaders rejected Russia's fears as groundless.

Czech Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova retorted that "the Russian Federation is perfectly aware that it is not threatened by this system."

She said the statements coming out of Moscow smacked of "political propaganda."
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