By Prensa Latina
Moscow : The planned deployment of strategic elements of the US antimissile system in Poland and the Czech Republic has forced Russia to aim its defensive target at the shield’s objectives, a parliamentary source warned.
If Washington’s plans in both countries materialize, they would become an object of surveillance by Russian alert systems, according to the president of the International Relations Committee, Konstantin Kosachev.
He added that it is clear that Iran is not the US target, but the control over Russia’s nuclear potential, Washington’s old aspiration.
Kosachev pointed out that the inclusion of any country, in this case Poland and the Czech Republic, turns those nations into hostages and participants in that situation, especially when strategic matters such as security are at stake.
Security issues are in the eye of the storm in the disputes between Russia and the United States, because talks between Washington and Moscow have not succeeded, and the Pentagon is moving ahead in its negotiations with Warsaw and Prague.
After meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said both parties had reached an agreement on the US plans to deploy its antimissile shield in his country, but he did not elaborate about it.
However, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has expressed his intention to strengthen ties with Moscow, has the last word on the issue.
Tusk will visit Russia on Friday and will meet US President George W. Bush in March.