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Russia to move missiles to Baltic | Russia to move missiles to Baltic |
(about 10 hours later) | |
Russia is to deploy new missiles in a Baltic enclave near Nato member Poland, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says. | Russia is to deploy new missiles in a Baltic enclave near Nato member Poland, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says. |
Short-range Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region would "neutralise" the planned US anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, he said. | Short-range Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region would "neutralise" the planned US anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, he said. |
The US says its shield is a defence against missiles from "rogue" nations, but Moscow sees it as a direct threat. | The US says its shield is a defence against missiles from "rogue" nations, but Moscow sees it as a direct threat. |
Mr Medvedev also said he wanted to extend Russia's presidential term to six years from the current four. | Mr Medvedev also said he wanted to extend Russia's presidential term to six years from the current four. |
He did not explain if he wanted to extend his own term, or change the rules for his successor. | He did not explain if he wanted to extend his own term, or change the rules for his successor. |
There has long been speculation that Mr Medvedev is a stop-gap so that Prime Minister Putin - who served the maximum two consecutive terms - can return to the top job, correspondents say. | There has long been speculation that Mr Medvedev is a stop-gap so that Prime Minister Putin - who served the maximum two consecutive terms - can return to the top job, correspondents say. |
'Conceited' US policy | 'Conceited' US policy |
In his first state-of-the nation address, Mr Medvedev said Moscow would deploy the Iskander missile system in the Kaliningrad region - between Nato members Lithuania and Poland - to "neutralise - if necessary - the [US] anti-missile system". | In his first state-of-the nation address, Mr Medvedev said Moscow would deploy the Iskander missile system in the Kaliningrad region - between Nato members Lithuania and Poland - to "neutralise - if necessary - the [US] anti-missile system". |
"Naturally, we also consider using for the same purpose the resources of Russia's navy," he said. | "Naturally, we also consider using for the same purpose the resources of Russia's navy," he said. |
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. |
Mr Medvedev's announcement is extremely provocative, but the Kremlin's clear message is that America is to blame, the BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Moscow says. | |
Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus later said that Russia's decision to deploy missiles was "beyond comprehension". | |
In his speech to lawmakers, the Russian leader also said the August war in Georgia had resulted from a "conceited" US foreign policy. | In his speech to lawmakers, the Russian leader also said the August war in Georgia had resulted from a "conceited" US foreign policy. |
He said "the conflict in the Caucasus was used as a pretext for sending Nato warships to the Black Sea and also for the foisting on Europe of America's anti-missile systems". | He said "the conflict in the Caucasus was used as a pretext for sending Nato warships to the Black Sea and also for the foisting on Europe of America's anti-missile systems". |
Mr Medvedev, who succeeded Vladimir Putin in May, vowed that Russia "won't retreat in the Caucasus". | Mr Medvedev, who succeeded Vladimir Putin in May, vowed that Russia "won't retreat in the Caucasus". |
Mr Medvedev also blamed Washington for the global financial crisis, but said Russia would "overcome" the challenge. | Mr Medvedev also blamed Washington for the global financial crisis, but said Russia would "overcome" the challenge. |