Russia open to missile deal

Russia's President yesterday seemed open to discussing a United States plan to cancel an anti-missile system in Europe if Russia helps prevent Iran from developing long-range weapons, a proposal that could be a snug fit of the Kremlin's strategic objectives.

Such a deal would scrap a missile defence system proposed by the Bush Administration that Moscow has always suspected was pointed at Russia's strategic capability.

At the same time, the deal could blunt what the Kremlin may regard as a growing threat from Iran's nuclear ambitions.

While President Dmitry Medvedev didn't commit Russia to the idea, presented in a letter from President Barack Obama, he sounded positive in his first public comments.

"Our American partners are ready to discuss this problem and that's already positive," he said.

"Several months ago, we were hearing different signals: 'The decision has been made. There is nothing to discuss. We will do what we have decided to do.' Now I hope the situation is different."

Medvedev said Moscow shared US concerns about Iran and nuclear proliferation. He denied, however, that Obama's letter laid out a straight deal - trading abandonment of the US missile system for Russian pressure on Iran.

"We are already working in close contact with our US counterparts on the Iranian nuclear issue."

- AP