Missile Shield Talks

Representatives from the 26 NATO allies will try to narrow their differences over the plan -- to include two radar systems and a missile interceptor bank -- during talks Thursday morning at alliance headquarters in Brussels.

In the afternoon, high-ranking Russian officials will lay out Moscow's objections to the shield and will be further briefed on it by US experts, NATO officials and diplomats said.

"It's only the beginning of a first real exchange of views," one diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that "it is too early to expect any decisions."

"Thursday's meetings could help restore confidence among us, particularly with Russia, but also ease German concerns," the diplomat said.

But he warned: "If things haven't cooled down after these meetings, there could be a danger of more clearly marked divisions among the allies."

Germany wants US to consult Moscow

The United States announced in January it had begun negotiations on installing a missile interceptor bank in Poland, a radar system in the Czech Republic plus an early warning radar somewhere in the Caucasus region.

Washington maintains that the system would not only protect the United States but also many of its European allies against "rogue threats" from countries like Iran.

But Russia is irked by the idea that its old Cold War foe would set this up in its back yard and has accused Washington of hiding its real intentions, trying to start another arms race, and threatened to retaliate.

Germany is demanding closer consultation with Moscow but is also concerned that parts of southern Europe -- Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey -- would be exposed outside the shield, expected to be fully operational in 2013.

"The Germans don't know clearly yet what they really want, but they are obviously convinced that NATO should play a role in it all," the NATO diplomat said.

In the latest sign of Washington's efforts to assuage those fears, US officials presented Russia Tuesday with "new ideas" for bilateral cooperation between them on missile defense in general.

Russia adopts wait and see attitude

Another NATO diplomat noted that Washington wants to move quickly to get the project off the ground before US President George W. Bush steps down next year.

"As for the Americans, they want to go fast and get the ball rolling before Bush's mandate ends," he said. "So they are ready for concessions, as long as the main thrust of the plan is kept."

But despite the apparently conciliatory US moves, Russia was pessimistic its concerns will be addressed.

"We hope, although I will say sincerely that I am not optimistic, that Washington will listen to our analyses and worries," Igor Ivanov, head of the Russian national security council, said Tuesday.

A senior Russian diplomat, Alexander Grushko, said separately that Russia intended to have serious talks with NATO foreign ministers in Norway next week on the missile scheme and the alliance's expansion into eastern Europe.

"We are counting on a deep and serious discussion in Oslo concerning all aspects of the relationship between Russia and NATO," he told Interfax news agency.

The dispute has accelerated debate at NATO about its own missile plans.

A study for the NATO has found that there is a possible missile threat to the allies and that they have the technical means to counter it. Little concrete action has been taken since its release in June.