Romania's supreme defence council (CSAT) has approved US plans to build a missile shield in the country, dpa cited Romanian President Traian Basescu as saying today. He did not specify the exact nature of the defence system, but said that it would be in place from 2015. It was "not directed against Russia," he added, but would "protect the whole of Romania's territory." The Romanian parliament has yet to give its approval for the plans but Defence Minister Teodor Melescanu said he did not foresee any problems in obtaining it. Talks over the details would begin shortly. Obama introduced a new missile defence shield plan last autumn, after that of his predecessor George W Bush, was strongly criticized by Russia. Talks with Poland, which has already agreed to the shield, and the Czech Republic are currently underway.
