U.S. Secretary of State Ms Rice commented to a Russian TV station NTV that Washington will not give up plans to build elements of a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic, but it is taking Moscow's concerns into account.
She said the defence system will help ensure the safety of the American people.“These are defensive systems. These are not systems that harm anyone. I believe that we will get appropriate funding for this system and of course we do take into consideration Russia’s views,” Ms Rice stated.Earlier the U.S. Congress voted to block funds to build a missile base in Poland.Russia is against the plan saying the missile shield could threaten its national security.Ms Rice also noted the UN resolution on Kosovo's independence should not set a precedent for breakaway republics elsewhere in the world.“We believe that these circumstances are very different, that Kosovo comes out of the specific sort of circumstances. Abkhazia and South Ossetia which are part of Georgia – and we believe in Georgia’s territorial integrity – have different circumstances,” she said.