Russia against US missile defence system in the Caucasus

Sep 21, 2009, 12:13 GMT

Moscow - Russia on Monday rejected US plans for a possible missile defence system in the Caucasus a week after Washington scrapped a previous proposal for such a system in Poland and the Czech Republic.

The Interfax news agency quoted chief of Russia's general staff, Nikolai Makarov, as rejecting the proposal 'completely.'

Last week, the administration of US President Barack Obama pulled out of a decision by his predecessor George W Bush to deploy a tracking radar in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland as part of the system developed against potential Iranian long-range missiles.

Defence Secretary Robert Gates said the US would replace the deployment of the long-range system with more proven short- and medium-range technologies such as the sea-based Aegis system and other land-based capabilities.

The Caucasus was among the Pentagon's choices as a location for a land-based radar system, according to US media reports.

Makarov said Russia had a low opinion of the US unilaterally seeking missile defence, adding that 'it concerns a global system, and that should be created jointly.'

According to Makarov, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev as supreme commander of the Russian armed forces would soon address earlier Russian plans to station short-range missiles in its exclave of Kaliningrad near the Polish border.

The Kremlin had originally threatened to station the missiles in response to the US system, which it said threatened Russia's security.

   The US under George W Bush assured the military bases in Poland and Czech Republic was for protection against 'rogue states' like Iran.