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US, Russia in key missile talks US, Russia in key missile talks
(10 minutes later)
The US and Russia are set for high-level talks in Moscow that will focus on Washington's plans to place a missile defence system in Europe.The US and Russia are set for high-level talks in Moscow that will focus on Washington's plans to place a missile defence system in Europe.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defence Secretary Robert Gates will meet their opposite numbers to try to tackle the Kremlin's opposition.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defence Secretary Robert Gates will meet their opposite numbers to try to tackle the Kremlin's opposition.
Moscow sees US plans to base a radar in the Czech Republic and interceptors in Poland as a threat to its own security.Moscow sees US plans to base a radar in the Czech Republic and interceptors in Poland as a threat to its own security.
The US says it has to counteract "rogue states" like Iran and North Korea.The US says it has to counteract "rogue states" like Iran and North Korea.
The Kremlin has asked the US why it cannot instead use Russian-operated early warning radar in Azerbaijan.The Kremlin has asked the US why it cannot instead use Russian-operated early warning radar in Azerbaijan.
Friday's talks are also expected to cover Russia's threat to leave the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and aim nuclear missiles at Europe if the US forges ahead.Friday's talks are also expected to cover Russia's threat to leave the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and aim nuclear missiles at Europe if the US forges ahead.
'Serious problems''Serious problems'
Analysts say discussions on what might succeed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) on nuclear weapons, which expires in 2009, are also likely.Analysts say discussions on what might succeed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) on nuclear weapons, which expires in 2009, are also likely.
And the political future of Kosovo will be on the agenda. class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7037204.stm">US tries to bridge gap And the political future of Kosovo will be on the agenda.
The so-called two-plus-two meeting will bring Ms Rice and Mr Gates face-to-face with their Russian counterparts, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov.The so-called two-plus-two meeting will bring Ms Rice and Mr Gates face-to-face with their Russian counterparts, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov.
"We have been very clear that we need the Czech and Polish sites," Ms Rice told journalists on her plane as it flew to Moscow on Thursday night."We have been very clear that we need the Czech and Polish sites," Ms Rice told journalists on her plane as it flew to Moscow on Thursday night.
The secretary of state, who trained as a Soviet specialist during the Cold War, is also expected to hold a private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.The secretary of state, who trained as a Soviet specialist during the Cold War, is also expected to hold a private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Vladimir Putin is due to visit Iran next week
BBC Moscow correspondent Richard Galpin says Ms Rice has made it clear the US will not back down on the missile issue, but that Washington is still interested in Moscow's offer to use Russian radar facilitities.BBC Moscow correspondent Richard Galpin says Ms Rice has made it clear the US will not back down on the missile issue, but that Washington is still interested in Moscow's offer to use Russian radar facilitities.
The US diplomatic team is also expected to seek Russian backing for tougher sanctions against Iran.The US diplomatic team is also expected to seek Russian backing for tougher sanctions against Iran.
Washington says Iran wants to build nuclear weapons but Tehran says it simply wants to produce nuclear energy.Washington says Iran wants to build nuclear weapons but Tehran says it simply wants to produce nuclear energy.
Mr Putin, who is due to visit Iran next week, says there is no evidence that Iran is trying to build a nuclear bomb.Mr Putin, who is due to visit Iran next week, says there is no evidence that Iran is trying to build a nuclear bomb.