Russia is not satisfied with new U.S. proposals aimed at easing Russia's concern over U.S. missile defense plans, a local newspaper reported Saturday, citing a Foreign Ministry source.
Russia has not responded to the U.S. proposals on its missile shield yet as the United States did not consult with Russia before disclosing relevant information to media, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with Commersant.
The United States proposed allowing Russia's staff to visit missile defense facilities deployed in Poland and the Czech Republic, but this is not the key to the issue, Ryabkov said.
He said the two sides have to reach consensus on the assessment of missile threat and responsive measures in this regard.
The United States is now trying to convince Russia that the missile shield is not targeted on Russia, he said, adding that the notion would not be accepted.
U.S. Acting Undersecretary of State John Rood said Thursday that the United States had offered Russia new proposals on nuclear arms reduction and missile defense.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Igor Lyakin-Frolov confirmed Friday that Moscow had received the proposals and was studying them.
Last year, Washington proposed establishing an anti-ballistic missile shield in Central Europe, consisting of interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic.
Moscow has consistently expressed its opposition to the U.S. missile shield in Europe, saying it threatens its national security. However, the United States insists that the shield is designed to thwart missile attacks by what it calls "rogue states."
(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2008)
