http://english.pravda.ru/russia/kremlin/03-09-2007/96627-russia_usa-0
03.09.2007
Russia prepares to respond to USA's missile defense plans in Europe
Russia believes that the deployment of US missile defense system in
Eastern Europe poses a potential threat to the national security of the Russian
Federation. Russia will hold firm on its opposition to the USA at this point,
the foreign minister said Monday.
"It should be well understood that we have our own "red lines" in spite
of the fact that Russia prefers not to confront other countries in foreign
politics. A "red line" implies a real threat to the national or international
security," Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"The plans of the US administration to deploy elements of its missile
defense system in Eastern Europe and the regulation of the Kosovo problem are
included on the list of such issues.
The minister added that Russia cannot but react to USA's actions. "Russia
is not haggling. This is what our international partners must understand," said
he.
Sergei Lavrov indicated that he could see no possible breakthrough in the
near future to two of the biggest irritants in relations between Russia and the
West.
Russia vehemently opposes the United States' push to place elements of a
missile-defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic. Moscow claims the
system is aimed at undermining Russia's missile strength, thereby destroying
the balance of power in Europe. The U.S. says the system is aimed at blocking
possible missile attacks by rogue states such as Iran.
On Kosovo, Russia opposes the Western-supported prospect of granting the
Serbian province independence. Serbia says Kosovo, which has been under
international administration since the end of fighting in 1999, must remain a
part of the country. Russia has repeatedly stated it will not support any
decision on Kosovo's status that is not agreed to by Serbia.
The foreign minister also criticized Britain for its position in the
dispute over extraditing Andrei Lugovoi, the Russian identified by Britain as
the main suspect in last year's murder by radioactive poison of dissident
former security agent Alexander Litvinenko.
Russia says its constitution prohibits such extraditions, but that it is
willing to put Lugovoi on trial at home if Britain presents sufficient
evidence.
"It is a pity that in the absence of convincing evidence against Lugovoi,
London has opted for a noisy propaganda show," Lavrov said. In July, Britain
ordered the expulsion of four Russian diplomats in protest of the extradition
refusal; Russia countered by expelling four Britons.
Russia has consistently complained about Britain's refusal to extradite
Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky and Chechen terrorist envoy Akhmed Zakayev,
both of whom have been granted asylum there.
"I do not think that the British side, in taking the decision several
years ago to grant political asylum to certain odious characters, knowingly
sought to manipulate Russia's internal affairs. But London has gradually found
itself, willingly or unwillingly, drawn in as a participant in intrigues
directed at Russia," Lavrov said.
Also Monday, a top Defense Ministry official said Russia would consider
talks with the United States on reducing tactical nuclear weapons only if
Britain and France also take part, Russian news agencies reported.
No treaties cover the countries' arsenals of tactical nuclear arms, and
calls for negotiations on the issue arise periodically.
"We are ready to go into such talks with the United States, but let's
include other countries in the process, first of all Britain and France," said
Col.-Gen. Vladimir Verhkovtsev, head of the Defense Ministry's 12th Main
Directorate, which has responsibility for nuclear weapons, according to the
RIA-Novosti news agency.
His comments appeared to echo the concern Russia has expressed regarding
the U.S. missile-defense system regarding distorting the balance of forces in
Europe.
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