Missile Shield Woes Hit Bulgaria

There's much talk about the proposed American shield in Eastern Europe, as today President Bush is making speeches about it in Prague despite Czech protests, and later this week he'll be discussing the plans further in Warsaw before heading to Germany for the G8 summit. But what does Bulgaria have to do with missile defence?

Sofia, historic friend to Russia despite some rough spots in their history, is attempting to ease Moscow's concerns, as Russian President Vladimir Putin is less than pleased about American bases being set up on the territory of former Russian allies. Along with Romania, Bulgaria has suggested that the countries offer Russia joint military manoeuvres. The offer came from Romania's Minister Teodor Melescanu after President Putin's threat to aim missiles at Europe if the proposed American missile shield were located there. The Romanian and Bulgarian leaders see their offer as a diplomatic solution to the increasingly militaristic and hostile atmosphere that's been building between Moscow and Washington. The joint military manoeuvres on the two countries' territories would include participation of troops from Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, and the United States. Right now there's been no reaction from either side, and we'll likely have to wait until the G8 summit talks to see some kind of resolution to this diplomatic mess.