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US 'to cut missile defence plan' US 'to cut missile defence plan'
(31 minutes later)
The US is to abandon its plan to develop a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic, according to the Wall Street Journal.The US is to abandon its plan to develop a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The paper said it would be dropped because Iran's long-range missile plans were less advanced than predicted.The paper said it would be dropped because Iran's long-range missile plans were less advanced than predicted.
Czech officials said Barack Obama had spoken to their prime minister, while a Polish official said the shield might no longer be deployed in Poland.Czech officials said Barack Obama had spoken to their prime minister, while a Polish official said the shield might no longer be deployed in Poland.
The plan antagonised Russia, which saw it as a direct threat.The plan antagonised Russia, which saw it as a direct threat.
President Obama ordered a review of the defence system, introduced by his predecessor George W Bush. President Obama earlier this year ordered a review of the defence system, introduced by his predecessor George W Bush.
European protection
In August 2008, the US signed a deal with Poland to site interceptors at a base near the Baltic Sea, and with the Czech Republic to build a radar station on its territory.In August 2008, the US signed a deal with Poland to site interceptors at a base near the Baltic Sea, and with the Czech Republic to build a radar station on its territory.
A Czech government spokesman said Mr Obama spoke to Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer on Wednesday, but declined to release further details.A Czech government spokesman said Mr Obama spoke to Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer on Wednesday, but declined to release further details.
European protection In Poland, deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Kremer told Reuters news agency: "From different sources we hear there are serious chances the shield won't be deployed here."
The missile shield was expected to be fully operational by 2012.The missile shield was expected to be fully operational by 2012.
Washington said the European sites were needed to protect European allies and US forces in Europe from Iran or another country.Washington said the European sites were needed to protect European allies and US forces in Europe from Iran or another country.
However, the Wall Street Journal reported: "The US will base its decision on a determination that Iran's long-range missile program has not progressed as rapidly as previously estimated, reducing the threat to the continental US and major European capitals, according to current and former US officials."However, the Wall Street Journal reported: "The US will base its decision on a determination that Iran's long-range missile program has not progressed as rapidly as previously estimated, reducing the threat to the continental US and major European capitals, according to current and former US officials."
Short-range threat
The newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, said the White House would order "a shift towards the development of regional missile defences for the Continent" to combat the threat from Iran's short- and medium-range missiles.The newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, said the White House would order "a shift towards the development of regional missile defences for the Continent" to combat the threat from Iran's short- and medium-range missiles.
An announcement is expected later by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates and military staff at a news conference , the Associated Press reported.An announcement is expected later by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates and military staff at a news conference , the Associated Press reported.
Iranian talks
Iran says its missile development programme is solely for scientific, surveillance or defensive purposes, but there are concerns in the West and among Iran's neighbours that the rockets could be used to carry nuclear weapons.Iran says its missile development programme is solely for scientific, surveillance or defensive purposes, but there are concerns in the West and among Iran's neighbours that the rockets could be used to carry nuclear weapons.
As part of long-running efforts to tackle the issue, Iran will hold talks on its nuclear programme on 1 October with the UK, China, France, Russia and the US - the five permanent UN Security Council members - and Germany.As part of long-running efforts to tackle the issue, Iran will hold talks on its nuclear programme on 1 October with the UK, China, France, Russia and the US - the five permanent UN Security Council members - and Germany.
'Rogue' states
The Wall Street Journal said the Obama administration "was expected to leave open the option of restarting the Polish and Czech system if Iran makes advances in its long-range missiles in the future."The Wall Street Journal said the Obama administration "was expected to leave open the option of restarting the Polish and Czech system if Iran makes advances in its long-range missiles in the future."
Russia saw the US missile plan as a direct threat to itself, despite US assurances that it was aimed at "rogue" states, such as Iran.Russia saw the US missile plan as a direct threat to itself, despite US assurances that it was aimed at "rogue" states, such as Iran.
A Russian foreign minister spokesman was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying Russia was awaiting confirmation of the reports.A Russian foreign minister spokesman was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying Russia was awaiting confirmation of the reports.
"In principle, such a development of the situation would correspond to the interests of the development of our bilateral relations with the USA," the spokesman said."In principle, such a development of the situation would correspond to the interests of the development of our bilateral relations with the USA," the spokesman said.
In November, Russia moved its own ballistic missiles to Kaliningrad, between Nato member states Lithuania and Poland to "neutralise - if necessary - the [US] anti-missile system", President Dmitry Medvedev said at the time.In November, Russia moved its own ballistic missiles to Kaliningrad, between Nato member states Lithuania and Poland to "neutralise - if necessary - the [US] anti-missile system", President Dmitry Medvedev said at the time.
Mr Medvedev also said Russia would jam the US anti-missile system electronically.Mr Medvedev also said Russia would jam the US anti-missile system electronically.
What is your reaction to this announcement? How will it affect Russia's relationship with the US and Europe? Send us your views using the form below.What is your reaction to this announcement? How will it affect Russia's relationship with the US and Europe? Send us your views using the form below.
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