Russia issues missile threat

MOSCOW – Russia issued a veiled threat yesterday to deploy rockets in its Kaliningrad enclave bordering the European Union if United States builds a missile defence shield in eastern Europe.

The two sides are locked in a standoff over the US plans for a radar station in the Czech Republic and interceptor rockets in Poland. Russia says it is a threat to its security.The threat to put missiles in Kalingrad was made by First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov only two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin again raised the missile shield dispute with US President George W Bush.Putin has suggested to Bush that the United States use a Russian-controlled radar in ex-Soviet Azerbaijan, near the Iranian border instead of having a shield in eastern Europe.Putin has also offered the use of an early warning station under construction in southern Russia.”If our offers are accepted, Russia will not consider it necessary to deploy new rocket units in the European part of the country, including Kaliningrad, to counter the threat” from the US plans, Ivanov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.Ivanov, who was on a visit to Uzbekistan, said Russia had ‘found an asymmetrical and effective response’ to the US project for a European shield.Washington insists its shield is to guard against possible attack from ‘rogue states’ such as Iran.Moscow believes the systems are directed against Russia.Ivanov’s comments suggested that tensions remain high despite efforts to calm the atmosphere at a meeting between Putin and Bush in Kennebunkport, Maine this week.Nampa-AFPRussia says it is a threat to its security.The threat to put missiles in Kalingrad was made by First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov only two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin again raised the missile shield dispute with US President George W Bush.Putin has suggested to Bush that the United States use a Russian-controlled radar in ex-Soviet Azerbaijan, near the Iranian border instead of having a shield in eastern Europe.Putin has also offered the use of an early warning station under construction in southern Russia.”If our offers are accepted, Russia will not consider it necessary to deploy new rocket units in the European part of the country, including Kaliningrad, to counter the threat” from the US plans, Ivanov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.Ivanov, who was on a visit to Uzbekistan, said Russia had ‘found an asymmetrical and effective response’ to the US project for a European shield.Washington insists its shield is to guard against possible attack from ‘rogue states’ such as Iran.Moscow believes the systems are directed against Russia.Ivanov’s comments suggested that tensions remain high despite efforts to calm the atmosphere at a meeting between Putin and Bush in Kennebunkport, Maine this week.Nampa-AFP