US Missile Defence Shield Will Go Ahead

Poland and the Czech Republic both feature in the US Missile Defence Shield The US has now confirmed its intention to proceed with the controversial Missile Defence Shield. Said confirmation was provided by the US Secretary of State, Daniel Fried.

It goes ahead despite Moscow's protestations - with the associated costs already factored into the US military's budget for 2008.

"The defence budget does include missile defence, and I am happy to report there is growing support by partners supporting the American Congress for missile defence", said Mr Fried while visiting Azerbaijan.

He added, however, that the US was aiming to establish an agreement with Moscow, through which "our security capabilities" could be augmented - highlighting how Azerbaijan could play a role in this.

Russia Remains Opposed to Missile Shield

As far as Russia is concerned, the US Missile Defence Shield represents an encroachment in an area formerly under its influence, and which could be used against it. However, Washington has repeatedly insisted that it is Iran that the shield is designed to deflect military advances from.

The plans associated with the Shield include the installation of a radar facility in the Czech Republic, and a number of missiles in Poland.

In October 2007, the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, accompanied the US Defence Secretary Robert Gates on a trip to Moscow. While there, they provided Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, with proposals through which Russia would be included in the shield.

According to Viktor Serdyukov, the Russian Defence Minister, what they described was insufficient to quell Moscow's fears.

Source - Armed Forces International's US Correspondent