Russian Defense Minister Says U.S. Missile Shield A Threat

A U.S. missile-defense test in Hawaii in 2005 (AFP) April 23, 2007 -- Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has told visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates that Washington's missile-defense plans could seriously threaten regional and global stability.

Gates arrived in Moscow today in a bid to persuade Russia to cooperate with the United States on plans to deploy parts of a missile-defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.

He invited Russia to participate in the shield as a partner.

Washington maintains the system aims at countering missile attacks from what it calls "rogue" states, such as Iran and North Korea. But Moscow says it threatens Russia.

Gates is scheduled to meet with President Vladimir Putin, First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, and other Russian officials.

Meanwhile, the head of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, General Henry Obering, is in Prague today to discuss the anti-missile shield with Czech leaders.

(Reuters, AFP, ITAR-TASS)

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Rogue Threat A U.S. official discusses the security threats that Washington feels justifies a missile-defense program. more	Russia Reacts Moscow has been uncompromisingly hostile to the U.S. missile-defense proposal. more