The United States Defence Secretary, Robert Gates, received a cool reception in Moscow on Monday when he attempted to reassure the Russian Federation over the US’s controversial missile defence plans in eastern Europe.
Gates met the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and Russia’s Defence Minister, Anatoly Serdyukov. His two-day visit is part of a belated charm offensive by the Bush administration designed to convince Russia, as well as sceptics within Europe, that the missile bases in Poland and the Czech Republic do not threaten European stability or Russia’s strategic nuclear arsenal.
“The days of the Cold War are over. No one should seek a return to them,” Gates said. “We invited Russia to join our defensive endeavour as a partner.”
After the talks, Putin and US President George Bush spoke by phone and agreed to discuss the issue during the Group of Eight meeting in Germany in July.
US officials claim US missiles are aimed at protecting Nato countries from attacks by Iran and North Korea. But on Monday, Serdyukov told the news agency Interfax: “The strategic missile defence system is a serious destabilising factor, which could have a significant impact on regional and global security.”
Gates, a former CIA head who favours diplomacy over military solutions, told reporters later that he sensed more flexibility than Serdyukov’s statement might have indicated. “I felt like we made some headway,” he said.
Nuclear arsenal
Russia says the location of the bases means that the missile interceptors are directed at Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
Although the US administration is portraying the shield as protection from possible threats from countries such as Iran or North Korea, Washington is also responding to concerns from Nato countries in Eastern Europe who remain fearful of a Russian return.
At Monday’s meeting with Russia’s president, Gates offered a series of concessions. They included sharing parts of the system. Russian officials would also be invited to inspect the bases.
But the Pentagon intends to move forward whatever the response, a senior Bush administration official said. “We’re going to continue to make this effort with Russia; but we’re also very clear — whether Russia cooperates with us or not is really up to Russia,” the official said on Sunday.
Washington wants to place 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and radar in the Czech Republic, at a cost of $3,5-billion.
Russia has long objected to a US military presence at its periphery. The Kremlin’s chief spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told the Guardian that Moscow felt betrayed by the Pentagon and was considering a rival scheme. “It brings tremendous change to the strategic balance in Europe, and to the world’s strategic stability,” he said. — Guardian Unlimited Â