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Nato chief to hold Moscow talks Nato chief to hold Moscow talks
(about 6 hours later)
Nato's secretary general is due to meet top Russian officials in Moscow on Tuesday, at a time of strained relations between the two sides. Nato's secretary general is due to meet top Russian officials in Moscow shortly, at a time of strained relations between the two sides.
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Tensions have recently been focused on a US plan to install parts of a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe. Tensions have risen recently over a US plan to install parts of a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe.
In response, Moscow has threatened to re-aim missiles at Europe's cities if the US goes ahead with the plan.In response, Moscow has threatened to re-aim missiles at Europe's cities if the US goes ahead with the plan.
But both Russia and Nato may try to use Mr de Hoop Scheffer's visit to stress areas where they do feel they can work together, such as combating terrorism, the BBC's James Rogers in Moscow says. But both Russia and Nato may try to use Mr de Hoop Scheffer's visit to stress areas where they do feel they can work together, such as combating terrorism, the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says.
'No threat''No threat'
Mr de Hoop Scheffer is in Moscow to mark the fifth anniversary of the Nato-Russia Council.Mr de Hoop Scheffer is in Moscow to mark the fifth anniversary of the Nato-Russia Council.
During the council's session, he will hold talks with Mr Lavrov. He is also due to meet President Putin During the council's session, he will hold talks with Mr Lavrov. He is also due to meet President Putin.
How defence system worksHow defence system works
On Monday, Mr de Hoop Scheffer again defended the US missile defence plan - the issue that is likely to top the agenda of the talks in Moscow.On Monday, Mr de Hoop Scheffer again defended the US missile defence plan - the issue that is likely to top the agenda of the talks in Moscow.
"You don't have to be Einstein to understand that 10 interceptor rockets don't pose any threat to Russia," Mr de Hoop Scheffer said during a debate in St Petersburg that was broadcast on Russia's Ekho Moskvy radio station. "You don't have to be Einstein to understand that 10 interceptor rockets don't pose any threat to Russia," Mr de Hoop Scheffer said during a debate in St Petersburg, broadcast on Russia's Ekho Moskvy radio station.
He also said Russia and Nato were "enemies and tried to destroy each other" during the Cold War but "that era has now finished".He also said Russia and Nato were "enemies and tried to destroy each other" during the Cold War but "that era has now finished".
As part of an expansion of its anti-missile shield, the US is planning to install a sophisticated radar tracking system in the Czech Republic and 10 anti-missile interceptors in Poland.As part of an expansion of its anti-missile shield, the US is planning to install a sophisticated radar tracking system in the Czech Republic and 10 anti-missile interceptors in Poland.
Washington has said the shield is necessary to protect against any missile attacks from "rogue states".Washington has said the shield is necessary to protect against any missile attacks from "rogue states".
Russia sees the shield as a threat to its national security.Russia sees the shield as a threat to its national security.
President Putin has recently warned that Russia would target its missiles back at Europe if Washington went ahead with its missile shield. President Putin recently warned that Russia would target its missiles back at Europe if Washington went ahead with its missile shield.
As a compromise, Mr Putin has offered the US to jointly use a Soviet-build radar base in Azerbaijan. As a compromise, Mr Putin offered the US joint use of a Soviet-build radar base in Azerbaijan.
But US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said Washington viewed the offer as an additional capability not a substitute to the plan. But US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Washington viewed the offer as an additional capability, not a substitute for the plan.
Moscow has also voiced its opposition to Nato's possible further eastward expansion to include more former Soviet states, such as Ukraine and Georgia. Moscow has also voiced opposition to Nato's possible further eastward expansion to include more former Soviet states, such as Ukraine and Georgia.