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Russian MFA Spokesperson Mikhail Kamynin on Missile Defence, October 31, 2007

Russian MFA Spokesman Mikhail Kamynin Commentary Regarding Russian-US Missile Defense Negotiations, October 31, 2007.

The meeting held in Moscow on October 12 between the Russian and US foreign and defense ministers (the so called two plus two format) focused mainly on missile defense issues, including those connected with the realization of the package proposal for cooperation in this sphere that has been put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Recall that it is aimed at creating a collective system of security against missile threats and represents a constructive alternative to the plans for deploying a third position area (TPA) for United States missile defenses in Europe.

During the talks, the American side offered a number of counter ideas and suggestions which it thought could help the search for solutions suiting both countries.

We even then asked the American side to put those ideas into concrete proposals so that experts could start working on them. This still hasn't happened, though.

At the same time, we have taken notice of the many remarks and comments of American officials describing the United States' ideas as something "unprecedented," "historic." and "opening unique new possibilities for cooperation." Neither can one fail to notice that in these remarks there appear ever more nuances and fresh details of the US approach, about which there was no talk in Moscow whatsoever. In particular, they claim that the US will itself conclude - without looking at Russia - about the reality of missile threats, and accordingly decide on the advisability of "activating" the TPA. Difficulties also arise, it seems, with the promises to allow Russian specialists access to the TPA facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Regrettably, the US side prefers to ignore the fact that the Russian proposals bear an alternative, not auxiliary character to the TPA deployment plans. Far from suspending the negotiations with the Czech Republic and Poland, extra measures are being taken to speed them up. The impression is that the US is seeking to make the realization of its plans irreversible.

One more serious problem for us is that the American reasoning rests on a categorical assumption that Iran is an enemy. We are not supporters of plans to create a "holy alliance" against that country.

Lastly, they suggest "fastening" our proposals for use of the radar stations in Gabala and Armavir as a supplement to the TPA. The key element of our position should be understandable to everyone, and it is that we will not participate in the creation of an antimissile potential which we believe poses a threat to Russia.

In this context I would like to stress that we are still keen to conduct a most frank and substantive dialogue based on concrete and clearly formulated positions. Only thus is it possible to move towards achieving a result suiting all.

We expect that the American side will soon prepare and transmit to us their concrete proposals on cooperation with respect to missile defense in documentary form.

Source: Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, www.russianembassy.org.

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