Russian nuclear sites possible in Belarus -envoy

By Staff
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MINSK, Aug 27 (Reuters) Russia may consider deploying new nuclear facilities in Belarus in response to a US plan to operate a missile shield in eastern Europe, Russia's ambassador to Minsk was quoted as saying today.

Ex-Soviet Belarus, led by President Alexander Lukashenko, is accused in the West of crushing basic rights.

It has planned some form of integration with Russia since the mid-1990s, although proposals to create a ''union state'' have stalled as relations have cooled in recent years, particularly over price rises for Russian energy.

Lukashenko, a virulent opponent of US foreign policy, has periodically suggested he could take retaliatory measures in conjunction with the Kremlin against the planned shield.

''This depends on the level of our political integration,'' ambassador Alexander Surikov told Interfax Zapad news agency.

''It also depends on the views of experts, diplomats and the military. Is it necessary and possible, when and how? I am talking about sites linked to nuclear weapons.'' Russia has denounced the US plan to deploy elements of its missile shield on the territory of ex-Warsaw Pact states Poland and the Czech Republic, and has threatened to target its own missiles on Europe.

President Vladimir Putin has instead proposed a collective missile shield in which Russia and European states could participate alongside the United States.

Washington says the shield is designed to protect against attack from what it calls ''rogue states'', such as Iran and North Korea, but Moscow sees the missile system as a threat.

Lukashenko, barred from the United States and European Union over allegations he rigged his re-election last year, said in July that Belarus would disregard its economic rows with Russia and work closely to resist the planned shield.

Reuters RAR VV1815

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