Russia, US clash over missile defence system

Описание: (30 May 2007)
1. Wide of G8 Foreign Ministers news conference
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State:
"And so I would hope that rather than continuing to worry about something that seems to us in fact just not at all possible, which is that, given the size of the Russian nuclear deterrent, that somehow this system is going to threaten the Russian nuclear deterrent. I would note that President Putin said just yesterday that Russia's ballistic missiles can overwhelm, penetrate, destroy any shield that we might build. We quite agree."
3. Cutaway of audience
4. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister:
"This global anti-ballistic defence, is somehow - accidentally or not accidentally, being deployed along the perimeter of Russia's borders. I do not think that for Russia this situation is laughable. I hope our American partners treat with respect our analysis, which we have, with the utmost detail and at the highest professional level, presented to them, and we would like to get an equally professional and substantial response. Because so far the only thing we are hearing is 'Oh, no, do not be afraid, it is not aimed at you.' Our analysis shows, to say the least, that it is laughable when we hear such responses."
5. Wide of news conference
6. News conference participants walking out
STORYLINE:
Russia's top diplomat accused the United States of launching a new arms race as the two nations traded barbs on Wednesday over US plans to erect a missile defence system in countries formally under Moscow's influence.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov complained that the US rationale for the shield is thin, and suggested that US assurances to Russia amount to a brush-off.
"This global anti-ballistic defence, is somehow - accidentally or not accidentally, being deployed along the perimeter of Russia's borders. I do not think that for Russia this situation is laughable," Lavrov said.
"So far the only thing we are hearing is 'Oh, no, do not be afraid, it is not aimed at you.' Our analysis shows, to say the least, that it is laughable when we hear such responses," he added.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States has repeatedly explained its plan to Russia in considerable detail and stands ready to discuss the matter further.
She tartly noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin himself had said Russia's own strategic defences could easily overpower the US system.
"I would note that President Putin said just yesterday that Russia's ballistic missiles can overwhelm, penetrate, destroy any shield that we might build. We quite agree," she said.
On Tuesday, Russia tested a new multiple-warhead, intercontinental ballistic missile as Putin warned that the planned US missile shield would turn Europe into a "powder keg."
US President George W. Bush, Rice and US Defence Secretary Richard Gates have all tried to reassure the Russians that the planned missile system is aimed at preventing Iran from someday threatening Europe.
US officials say the deployment of 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic would protect Russia and the rest of Europe from potential attack by Iran, North Korea or other nations.
The European sites are part of a larger shield that the Bush administration envisions for Europe and North America.
The Kremlin says the system threatens the strategic balance of forces in Europe by weakening Russia's ability to retaliate against an offensive strike.
Rice, Lavrov and other diplomats gathered in Potsdam for a working session before the 6-8 June Group of Eight summit.

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