Russia urges Europeans to voice position on missile shield

VARNA, May 27 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia wants European nations to voice
their position regarding the planned U.S. missile defense on the continent
and say whether it would improve relations with Russia, according to
Russian Ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin.
"They cannot continue hiding behind broad American shoulders and have
to come out and voice their position. The Europeans have to say what they
are planning to do and whether they comprehend the whole set of risks they
are taking on and whether the missile defense will promote enhanced
relations with Russia," Rogozin told Tass late on Thursday after arrival
in Bulgaria to address the Russia-NATO parliamentary committee in the
framework of NATO parliamentary spring session.
"The Americans have made the first step and work to convince everyone
that the missile defense means movement in the right direction. We, in our
turn, proceed from the fact that the American system will be deployed on
European land, which means European countries have to voice their point of
view. The European position on the issue is extremely interesting for
Russia," Rogozin said.
He said Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov will hold
consultations with U.S. counterparts in Brussels in early June.
"We hope the negotiations will give an impulse to political dialogue
and the upcoming meeting of the Russian and NATO defense ministers will be
more constructive," the ambassador said.
Rogozin will address NATO parliamentary session on Friday.