Russia against deploying weapons in space: Defence Minister

Moscow, Dec 22 (UNI) Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov today said Moscow was against the idea of deploying any weapons in outer space.

''Russia is categorically opposed to deploying any weapons in outer space,'' Interfax news agency reported Mr Ivanov as saying.

''But it does not mean that outer space cannot be used for military purposes,'' he said adding ''Both the United States and the Russian Federation are using it for military purposes.'' ''However, in our opinion, placing weapons in outer space is completely unacceptable,'' Mr Ivanov noted.

He also said US-planned ABM defence in Europe did not pose a threat to Russia and it would have no influence on Russia's security, since Topol-M strategic missile systems can overcome any anti-missile system.

''Should we speak about our security, in particular, the Topol-M ground mobile system that was recently presented, these new systems will overcome any ABM defences. That is why we are calm concerning these plans,'' Mr Ivanov said while referring to US plans to build an ABM defence area in Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland.

UNI XC LL HT1778