USA acknowledges Russia's concerns over missile defense system

Lavrov and Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov had both indicated they were eager to have the proposals in writing. Last year, Lavrov accused the U.S. of backtracking on missile defense, claiming that written proposals fell significantly short of what Rice and Gates laid out orally in an October meeting.

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Gates said Tuesday that the U.S. side spelled out more clearly some details of the proposals it made in the fall.

On Monday, Gates gave as an example the U.S. suggestion that Russia be allowed to monitor the activities in Poland and the Czech Republic. He said the Russians initially thought this meant they would be limited to monitoring through their diplomatic presence in the Polish and Czech capitals. Gates said that was clarified to mean the Russians would be permitted a physical _ but likely not continuous _ presence at the missile defense sites, and that the Russians appeared to regard this more favorably.

Russian officials have indicated they want a permanent monitoring presence and a say in evaluating when a threat from Iran would become imminent enough to warrant activating the interceptors.

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