3/18 State Dept.: Russia/Missile Defense

Robert Wood

Acting Department Spokesman
Daily Press Briefing

March 18, 2009

RUSSIA

US and Russia Share Concern of Future Threat from Iran / Missile Defense Is in Response to Iranian Behavior / Look Forward to Working with Russia on Missile Defense

QUESTION: When Secretary Clinton met Foreign Minister Lavrov, there were indications that there was wiggle room for some sort of compromise with the Russians in terms of missile defense. Where are you at the moment with the Russians on missile defense? Because there were some new ideas being bandied around.

MR. WOOD: Well, I think where we are is that the Russians share our view about the concern of a future threat emanating from Iran. The Russians are under no illusions about Iran’s behavior. And as I said, they share our concerns. We have said, you know, that this missile defense system that was proposed for both Poland and the Czech Republic was in response to our concern about Iranian behavior and a future threat emanating from Iran. And so, you know, that’s why the previous administration went forward with – or, you know, launched into this concept because of that concern about Iran.

And so, you know, if that threat from Iran no longer is real, then obviously, we would, you know, adjust our policies accordingly. But our concern remains Iran and what – and that threat posed by Iran. So – and the Russians, as I said, see it the same way we do, and we look forward to cooperating with Russia on missile defense as we’ve said many times.

SOURCE:

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2009/03/120510.htm