Russia FM criticises US present proposals on ABM

MOSCOW, June 26 (Itar-Tass) - The US ABM-related proposals offered to Russia now mean several steps backwards as compared with those made in October, stated Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov.

"They did not tell us anything new as compared with what we heard
(previously)," Lavrov pointed out. "Moreover, what the Americans are
prepared to suggest as food for discussion means several steps backwards
in comparison with the proposals that (Secretary of State) Condoleezza
Rice and (Secretary of Defense) Robert Gates brought to Moscow in October".

"We frankly tell the Americans and constantly emphasize that it is
tactless to present our stand as ostensibly signifying that we have
reconciled ourselves to the inevitable and that we are on the whole
satisfied with the proposals, which the Americans made to us for the
purposes of (demonstrating) the transparency of their plans," Russia's
Foreign Minister emphasized.

"Our concerns still remain. Some measures of transparency at best can
only somewhat lessen our concerns," Lavrov pointed out. "This is as clear as daylight already now".