Russia protests against anti-missile base

Russia said on Friday a U.S. plan to deploy an anti-missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic was a "mistake" which would have negative consequences for international security. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov rejected Washington's reassurances that the anti-missile system was meant to offset a potential rocket attack from Iran or North Korea, saying Iranian missiles could not reach Europe. President Klaus said last week he would discuss the matter with President Putin during a planned visit to Moscow in April.