Lithuania would consider hosting US missile shield: minister

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

VILNIUS (AFP) — Lithuania would consider being the base for a contested US missile shield if Washington asks it, but believes the United States will persuade Poland to host the system, Lithuania's defence minister said Wednesday.

"Lithuania would consider the possibility of participating in the anti-missile shield if asked. We should consider all the pluses and minuses," Juozas Olekas told Lithuanian public radio.

He however played down any immediate prospect of NATO member Lithuania stepping in to replace alliance ally Poland, adding: "We believe that agreement with Poland will be made".

Washington on Tuesday had identified Lithuania as a possible alternative site if the grinding negotiations on basing 10 interceptor missile silos in Poland end without...