NATO, Russia clash again on missile defense plan

10:12, 9 June 2011

BRUSSELS. June 9. KAZINFORM NATO and Russia clashed again Wednesday over the alliance's plan to build a missile defense system, but NATO's leader said he is optimistic the two sides can iron out their differences in time for a summit next May; Kazinform refers to Arab News.

NATO's Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the military alliance and Russia "are coming closer to reaching agreement" on principles for cooperating by creating two separate missile defense systems - one NATO and one Russian - that could exchange information.

But Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov told the Interfax news agency that the idea of linked Russian and NATO missile shields "doesn't suit us" and could spark a fresh arms race.

The US says the shield would fend off Iranian missile threats and isn't aimed against Russia, but Moscow wants legal guarantees on that.

Russia sees the US-led missile defense plans as a potential threat to its security. It agreed to consider NATO's proposal last fall to cooperate on the missile shield, but insisted the system be run jointly. NATO rejected that demand and no compromise has been found yet; Kazinform cites Arab News.

For full version visit www.arabnews.com

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