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Russia Rips US Missile Defense Offer

White House proposal is still 'unilateral,' says defense minister

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 27, 2007 10:00 AM CST

(Newser) – American and Russian plans to collaborate on a missile defense program suffered another blow today as Russia's foreign minister blasted American offers as "a significant rollback" from earlier promises. US proposals amounted to a "unilateral" American effort that would seek help and information from Russia, and no more, the minister said in Washington after meeting with Condoleezza Rice.

Supporters say the system, to be built in Poland and the Czech Republic, could counter the rise of Iran as a nuclear state, but Moscow believes that Washington also hopes to weaken Russia's nuclear deterrent and gain influence in Eastern Europe. Washington continues to rebuff  Vladimir Putin's offer to share a Russian-operated nuclear facility in Azerbaijan.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov seen at a news conference in Moscow, Friday, Oct. 12, 2007.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov seen at a news conference in Moscow, Friday, Oct. 12, 2007.   (Associated Press)
In this photo provided by Missile Defense Agency, a ground-based missile is shown shortly after liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.,  Friday, Sept.  28, 2007. The missile successfully intercepted a target missile Friday in a test of the nation's defense system, the Missile Defense Agency said. (AP Photo/Missile Defense...
In this photo provided by Missile Defense Agency, a ground-based missile is shown shortly after liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Friday, Sept. 28, 2007. The missile successfully intercepted...   (Associated Press)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrives at the State Department in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2007. Lavrov is in town to attend the international conference on the Middle East. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrives at the State Department in Washington, Monday, Nov. 26, 2007. Lavrov is in town to attend the international conference on the Middle East. (AP Photo/Manuel...   (Associated Press)
A radar station in Gabala, Azerbaijan, which Russia proposes to share with the United States, seen in this May, 2006 file photo. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to U.S. President George W. Bush to drop U.S. plans to deploy missile defense sites in Poland and the Czech Republic...
A radar station in Gabala, Azerbaijan, which Russia proposes to share with the United States, seen in this May, 2006 file photo. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to U.S. President George W. Bush...   (Associated Press)
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