A warning by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Moscow could retaliate if plans for the installation of a US missile system in Eastern Europe go ahead drew a strong response Monday from western countries, according to dpa. Putin's remarks, made in an interview with the London Times and other western newspapers Monday, were described as "unhelpful and unwelcome" by NATO. In Washington, the US State Department said Putin's comments seemed more a reflection of the Cold War than the present and described them as "not helpful" and "surprising." "They have more the ring of 1977 than they do 2007," spokesman Sean McCormack said. He reiterated the US position that the missile defence system is not aimed at Russia and invited the Russians to participate in the programme. McCormack said the relationship with Russia is a "big, complicated relationship. And there are going to areas where we butt heads, I'm sure where we disagree. There are going to be areas where we work quite well together." In London, a spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said Putin's comments had raised "concerns" throughout Europe. The missile shield was not directed against Russia, stressed Blair's official spokesman. In Brussels, NATO spokesman James Appathurai said: "As far as I am aware, the only country speculating about targeting Europe with missiles is the Russian Federation." "These kind of comments are unhelpful and unwelcome," he added, saying that the remarks were unlikely to ease tensions between Moscow and the West.
