Bush says Putin should not fear missile shield

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Source: CCTV.com | 06-06-2007 08:37

President Bush delivers remarks at Czermin Palace in Prague, June 5, 2007. REUTERS/Jim Young

US President George W. Bush has arrived in Germany for the start of the G8 Summit. Many expect he's likely to face tough talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, over US plans to set up anti-missile shields in Eastern Europe.

An easy landing for the US President. But he faces tense talks ahead when he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G8 Summit.

But speaking in Prague before heading to Germany, Bush said Putin had nothing to fear from the missile defense shield, calling it a purely defensive measure.

He said he would urge Putin at the summit to cooperate with the US plan to deploy a radar system in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in Poland.

Bush said, "I look forward to having conversations with President Putin, not only at the G8 but up in the United States when he comes over, and my message will be: Vladimir, you know, I call him Vladimir, you shouldn't fear our defense system. As a matter of fact, why don't you co-operate with us on the missile defense system? Why don't you participate with the United States?

But discussions are unlikely to go as smoothly as Bush might hope. Russia has expressed fury at US plans to install a defense system on what it views as its own doorstep. And the Kremlin has not been slow to say it considers the proposal a threat to its national security.

Putin has also said going ahead with US plans could trigger a new arms race.

The last few days have seen Russia test-fire new intercontinental ballistic missiles with multiple warheads which it claims can overcome all sorts of missile defense systems.

The US proposal has also met with some opposition in the country it's chosen to build its radar-base.

While in the Czech Republic, Bush met with opposition Democratic party leader, Jiri Paroubek, who has demanded a referendum on the US proposal.

The ruling party in the Czech government has rejected this call. But it still faces the difficult task of pushing the plan through parliament, where it controls just half of the 200 seats.

Editor:Du Xiaodan