Russia Warns U.S., Czech Republic Over Missile Shield Pact

Prague, Czech Republic (AHN) - The U.S. and Czech Republic signed a deal Tuesday to set up part of a controversial missile defense system in the central European country. Russia reacted by warning of a military response.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Czech officials signed the pact establishing radar that will detect any long-range missile coming from the Middle East so it could be destroyed before hitting Europe. The other part of the defense system is missile interceptors to be based in Poland

Reacting to the pact, which still has to be approved by the Czech legislature, the Russian foreign ministry said Russia will act not in diplomatic but in military fashion if the anti-missile shield is deployed near its borders.

"There is no doubt that the deployment of U.S. strategic weaponry close to the Russian territory may be used for weakening our deterring potential. Obviously, Russia will have to take appropriate measures and compensate the forming potential threats to its national security. This is not our choice," Itar-Tass cited the ministry as saying.

Meanwhile, Rice urged the Czech parliament to approve the deal between Prague and Washington. "This treaty will not only increase security of the Czech Republic but also of Europe," CBSNews.com quoted Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg as saying.