Russia politicians, analysts welcome U.S. missile shield move
15:52 17/09/2009 MOSCOW, September 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russian analysts and politicians welcomed on Thursday reports that Washington intends to scrap missile defense plans for Europe, saying the move was driven mainly by U.S. internal debate.
Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer confirmed media reports on Thursday that the U.S. will scrap the Bush administration's plans for an interceptor radar in the Czech Republic and a missile base in Poland, which have been fiercely opposed by Russia.
"Barack Obama telephoned me at 00:21 local time. Poland has also been informed of the decision," Fischer told a news briefing in Prague.
Alexander Pikayev, a senior disarmament expert, said the Democrats had always been opposed to shield plans for Europe, aggressively pursued by the George W. Bush administration. He said the decision was also due to the United States cutting its military budget amid the ongoing global recession.
"If the decision is made, it will be influenced above all by American internal debate," he said, acknowledging that it will considerably "ease tensions in Russia-U.S. ties."
The reversal of the shield plans has been described by some critics as an effort to secure Russian cooperation in the U.S.-led campaign to impose new economic sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear program.
A senior member of Russia's upper house of parliament, Mikhail Margelov, said: "Iranian long-range missiles are a matter of distant future, while the financial and economic crisis is the current problem."
However, Margelov said the decision is also Washington's concession and part of the two countries' pledges to "reset" relations.
Another senior Russian lawmaker welcomed the possible U.S. move as a breakthrough in bilateral relations.
Konstantin Kosachyov said Russia and the U.S. had passed the most difficult period in their relations and were possibly in for "a helpful discussion of complex issues in the future." He also urged for concessions on the part of Russia in return.
Moscow has called the planned anti-missile system a national security threat, upsetting the strategic balance of forces.
The Wall Street Journal said earlier on Thursday, citing people close to the issue, that the U.S. decision was based on an assessment that Iran's long-range missile program has not progressed as rapidly as previously estimated, reducing the threat to the U.S. and Europe's major cities.
A U.S. delegation led by Ellen Tauscher, under secretary of state for arms control and international security, finished talks in Warsaw earlier on Thursday. No official comments have followed.
Media in the U.S., Poland and the Czech Republic have cited high-ranking sources as saying the Obama administration will officially soon announce its decision.
Pro-Republican U.S. analysts criticized Obama's possible revision of the missile defense plans at a meeting at the Heritage Foundation earlier this week, saying Russia's criticism was driven by its desire to continue to dominate the region.
They said missile defenses are vital for U.S. and European security, as Iran's ballistic missile program was a growing threat. The foundation said the move would also be a major betrayal of key U.S. allies in Eastern Europe, and a propaganda victory for Moscow.
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