Russian and NATO officials agreed Tuesday to cooperate on the first phase of a theater missile defense system, ITAR-Tass reported (see GSN, April 11).

The missile defense effort is a “pilot project,” according to NATO Secretary General George Robertson.  Officials agreed to the program during a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council in Moscow, according to ITAR-Tass.

All 20 countries at the meeting said they would provide financial support for the program, Robertson said (ITAR-Tass, May 13 in FBIS-SOV, May 13).

Russia should participate in the missile defense system on an equal footing with NATO countries, according to Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy chairman of the Duma International Affairs Committee.

“Russia should do its best to obtain the status of an equal partner in the development of the new missile defense system in cooperation with NATO in order to avoid unpleasant surprises in the future,” Kosachyov said.  “Now it is necessary to agree who and how will take part in the project in the respect of technologies and financing,” he added (ITAR-Tass II, May 13 in FBIS-SOV, May 13).

About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines

HOME  |  CONTACT US  |  GET INVOLVED  |  SITE MAP

Back to top