Germany chides US move on anti-missile shield

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticized the United States on Feb. 18 in a rare public rebuke for failing to inform Russia of an offer to build a missile base on Polish soil. Steinmeier said it was vital to keep all partners fully informed due to the sensitive nature of the project. "Because the sites for the stationing are quite near Russia, one should have talked about it with Russia beforehand," Steinmeier said. "In view of the strategic nature of this sort of project, I urge one to act with caution and to engage in an intensive dialogue with all the partners directly and indirectly involved," he added. The United States has asked Poland and the neighboring Czech Republic to host elements of its multi-billion dollar missile system which they say is designed to counter missiles potentially fired by Iran. In Berlin, parliamentary floor leader Fritz Kuhn said the US plans had not been discussed with NATO. "What the United States is doing can only be seen in Russia as a provocation," Kuhn said.