NATO may provide Russia with legal guarantee on missile shield

NATO does not rule out the issuing of a written guarantee that it will not direct its planned missile defense shield in Europe against Russia, an alliance official said on Friday. While U.S. officials have stated the shield is not directed against Russia, Moscow has yet to receive a written assurance. The U.S. says it needs the shield, which will be eventually deployed in the Mediterranean, Poland, Romania and Turkey, to counter the threat of missile attacks from Iran. NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy Dirk Brengelmann said "It would be possible to have a statement in the long run" when asked if NATO could provide political guarantees of non-aggression. Brengelmann also told the Moscow-based Ekho Moskvy radio station said that NATO leaders could sign the statement.