By RIA Novosti
Washington : US President George W. Bush has said the Pentagon's plans to deploy elements of its missile shield in Central Europe were not directed against Russia.
Speaking with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, Monday Bush reiterated that the defence shield in Europe is directed against countries, which could affect stability and peace in Europe, and said he would continue to reach out to Russia to explain Washington's motives.
The US announced plans in January to deploy interceptor missiles in Poland and a missile-defence-radar in the Czech Republic as part of its missile shield aimed at countering possible threats from "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned the plan, claiming that it could be a "destabilizing factor" and could threaten Russia's national security, and warned that "appropriate measures" would be taken in response.