RUSSIA DETERMINED TO HALT IMPLEMENTATION OF US PLANS TO BUILD NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENCE SYSTEM








MOSCOW, March 12 /from RIA Novosti's Alexander Konovalov and Anna Bobina/ - Russia will hold consultations with European and other countries in an effort to halt the implementation of American plans to build a national missile defence system, "even if the US starts deploying it," Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov, head of the Russian Defence Ministry's international military cooperation department, said at a news briefing on Monday.


	According to him, Russia, "by taking asymmetrical measures in response to the United States deploying a national missile defence system, will work to have this process halted". "Expectations in Moscow are that the US administration will sooner or later see the fruitlessness and danger of deploying a national missile defence system," the general emphasised.


	Ivashov remarked that the Russian side is not reassured by claims made by officials of the new American administration that a national missile defence system will be limited in character. He pointed to the American side's attempts to work toward militarisation of outer space with a view to developing a "so-called space echelon of a national missile defence system".


	Replying to a question as to whether Russia may take military measures in response to the deployment by the US of a national missile shield, Ivashov emphasised that "we do not make such plans now". According to him, Moscow will use for the purpose "its own political and economic potential and that of other countries" to avoid the unfavourable turn. It is not before the implementation of American plans for a national missile defence system creates unfavourable international conditions for the Russian Federation "that appropriate measures will be taken", the general noted.


	According to Ivashov, there is an agreement between Russia's Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and US Secretary of State Colin Powell to hold consultations in the near future on missile defence and the START treaties. The Russian general pointed out that Moscow will be trying to persuade the US to seek alternative ways of ensuring its national security.