(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - February 4, 2009: The Czech ambassador to Russia said on Tuesday that he believed Moscow would eventually cooperate with 
Washington and its European allies on a missile shield in Europe.
Moscow has strongly opposed U.S. plans to deploy 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic by 2013 as a threat to its security and nuclear deterrence. Washington says the defenses are needed to deter possible strikes from "rogue states" such as Iran.
"We will see whether or not the new American administration continues with this program," Miroslav Kostelka said.
"However, I believe this project would not be so bad for the U.S., Europe or Russia. I think we can expect excellent cooperation between the U.S., the Czech Republic, Poland, as well as the whole of Europe and Russia because this [missile defense] network does not pose any threat," the diplomat added.
The missile shield issue is likely to be on the agenda of any meeting between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama on April 2 in London, on the sidelines of a G20 summit.
Moscow recently expressed hope that U.S. President Barack Obama's administration would "take a break on the issue of missile defense ... and evaluate its effectiveness and cost efficiency."
Washington and its European allies on a missile shield in Europe.
Moscow has strongly opposed U.S. plans to deploy 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic by 2013 as a threat to its security and nuclear deterrence. Washington says the defenses are needed to deter possible strikes from "rogue states" such as Iran.
"We will see whether or not the new American administration continues with this program," Miroslav Kostelka said.
"However, I believe this project would not be so bad for the U.S., Europe or Russia. I think we can expect excellent cooperation between the U.S., the Czech Republic, Poland, as well as the whole of Europe and Russia because this [missile defense] network does not pose any threat," the diplomat added.
The missile shield issue is likely to be on the agenda of any meeting between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama on April 2 in London, on the sidelines of a G20 summit.
Moscow recently expressed hope that U.S. President Barack Obama's administration would "take a break on the issue of missile defense ... and evaluate its effectiveness and cost efficiency."
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