| U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has | | | | Russian suspicions. She said the talks should include |
| deplored a Russian threat to target Poland and the | | | | NATO officials, as well as Russian and American |
| Czech Republic if either government hosts a planned | | | | participants. |
| U.S.-built NATO missile defense system. | | | | Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said |
| The secretary told reporters Wednesday in Berlin the | | | | Moscow remains "seriously concerned" about the |
| recent threat from the commander of Russia's | | | | proposed system. But he also said his country will not |
| strategic forces, General Nikolai Solovtsov was "very | | | | use the deployment as a pretext to start a new |
| unfortunate." | | | | arms race. |
| Rice said U.S. diplomats have given Russian authorities | | | | Lavrov said Moscow will react carefully to what he |
| extensive briefings on the missile deployment plans. | | | | called "emerging threats" to Russia's national security, |
| She said envoys have made it clear the proposed | | | | without engaging in confrontation. Lavrov also again |
| system is aimed at countering missile threats to U.S. | | | | voiced concern over recent NATO expansion in |
| allies from such states as Iran. | | | | eastern Europe near Russian borders. |
| In Moscow Wednesday, visiting French Defense | | | | Some information for this report was provided by |
| Minister Michele Alliot-Marie called for dialogue to dispel | | | | AFP. |