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Stop missile shield moves, U.S. told

MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged the United States on Saturday to halt moves to deploy missile defence facilities in Europe pending negotiations on the issue, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.

Mr. Lavrov's remark suggested Moscow was unhappy that the U.S. has continued discussions on its plans to deploy facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic following Russia's counteroffer of joint use of a radar station in Azerbaijan.

``It's necessary for Washington, at a minimum, to freeze the deployment of missile defence elements in Europe for a period of study and negotiations on the Russian proposal,'' ITAR-Tass quoted Mr. Lavrov as saying. ``We suggest that the U.S. jointly and professionally evaluate [the issue] ... and reach a general understanding.''

Mr. Lavrov also warned that the U.S. missile defence plans could hamper efforts to ease international concerns about Iran's nuclear programme, RIA-Novosti reported. — AP

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