Russian FM encourages US anti-missile debate: FT

London, Apr 11: Russia wants talks with the European Union and the United States about US plans for an anti-missile shield in Europe, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in comments published today.

Outlining Moscow's stance in an article for the Financial Times, Lavrov described such a shield as unacceptable and said it would fundamentally change Europe's strategic landscape.

Washington's anti-missile scheme has sparked a debate in Europe on whether the continent needed such defences, he said.

''Russia is ready to take part in these discussions at all levels and in any format,'' the foreign minister wrote.

Moscow also welcomed an agreement reached last month between US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold consultations on the issue, he said.

''We favour an integrated approach to solving the problems of the Euro-Atlantic region -- in a trilateral format, including Russia, the EU and the U.S.'' Such a move would strengthen the transatlantic bond in an inclusive way, said Lavrov.

The United States wants to build a radar station in the Czech Republic and a missile battery in Poland to defend against possible missile attacks from what it calls ''rogue states'' such as Iran or North Korea.

Lavrov, however, questioned the reality of such threats.

''We are convinced that no such threat exists for Europe or the US today, or in the foreseeable future,'' he wrote, arguing that no ''rogue states'' have missiles that would pose a real threat to Europe. ''The construction of missiles capable of reaching the US is an even harder task,'' Lavrov wrote.

But the perceived threats could become a ''self-fulfilling prophesy as a consequence of ill-considered actions'', he said.

Lavrov continued: ''Should imaginary constructs get in the way of the flourishing trilateral efforts of Russia, the EU and the US to solve real problems in the West Asia, the crisis in Iraq and Afghanistan and Iran's nuclear programme? It is these problems that really threaten our continent's security.'' He suggested conducting a joint evaluation of the threat, noting that a suitable forum would be the next foreign minister level meeting of the Russia-NATO Council at the end of April.

As for Russia's position on the US anti-missile plan, he wrote: ''For us -- and for many others in Europe -- it is unacceptable for anyone to use the continent as their own strategic territory. Any unilateral anti-missile projects would fundamentally alter the continent's geo-strategic landscape.''

Reuters