USA offers missile deal to Russia

NEW YORK, Oct 18 (AP) — The White House is offering to help Russia complete a large missile tracking radar if it agrees to renegotiate an arms control agreement so the USA can build a national missile defence system, The New York Times reported yesterday.

Under the proposal, the USA will help the Russians finish their radar near Irkutsk, Siberia, the paper said, citing unidentified Russian and American officials.

A nationwide defence system is prohibited by the 1972 Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty.Moscow has refused to alter it, and announced yesterday that it would work with China to seek broad support at the United Nations against US efforts to alter the accord.

Senior US officials insist that the White House is not aiming to nullify the 1972 pact. Rather the goal is to update the accord so the USA can defend itself against new missile threats while at the same time avoiding a new arms race with Russia and China, the paper said.

The USA believes nations like North Korea and Iran are developing the means to manufacture ballistic missiles.