Lithuania refutes US missile shield talks

The Lithuanian foreign ministry has refuted reports that Vilnius is allegedly in talks with Washington over deployment of the US missile-shield elements on the territory of Lithuania.  "Lithuania is not holding any negotiations over the deployment of the missile shield system on its territory", Lithuanian foreig ministry's spokeswoman Violeta Gajzauskajte sain on LTV national television channel. At the same time, she reminded that Vilnius was positive about Poland's plans to host US missile shield components, reports the Russian news agency Ria-Novosti.

The reports about the talks appeared yesterday in the Russian media who suggested that the United States regarded Lithuania as a back-up option in case negotiations with Poland would fail. The fact of negotiations was allegedly confirmed by a Polish foreign ministry official.