Washington seeking Europe control through missile shield: Gorbachev

Moscow, Apr 12 (UNI) Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev today accused the US of attempting to deploy missile defence bases in Poland and the Czech Republic to control Europe.

''It is all about influence and domination in Europe. I believe, it is wrong that US did not even bother to consult its NATO allies,'' RIA Novosti news agency quoted President Gorbachev as saying.

Asked how Russia would respond to the US plans, he said, ''Time will show.'' The US declared in January that it was planning to deploy elements of its missile defence system in the Czech Republic and Poland to counter possible attacks from Iran and North Korea, whose nuclear programmes have provoked serious international concerns.

Moscow has repeatedly warned NATO to set up bases near Russian borders and sharply criticised the US plans to deploy anti-missile systems in Central Europe as a national security threat and a destabilising factor for Europe.

It has also said that it would find a suitable match to the US plans of missile defence in Europe.

UNI