December 16, 2009 - 18:46 AMT
Turkey fears spoiling relations with Iran
Turkey is against the proposal on locating elements of American PRO system on its territory for fear of jeopardizing relations with Russia and Iran. U.S. President Barrack Obama has proposed Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan to locate "anti-missile shield" on Turkish territory. The proposal was made last week during negotiations in Washington. Turkish media report that Ankara has disapproved the initiative.

"According to preliminary assessments, military and pro-government circles are inclined to believe that such PRO will make Turkey a direct shooting mark for Iranian short- and medium- ranged rockets. Besides, there are concerns that the project will create tensions in relationship with Russia, leading to 'cold war' atmosphere despite Turkey's 'friendship with neighbors' policy."

Turkish and Western media have several times released information on United States plans to locate elements of PRO system in Turkey, but Turkish officials did not confirm such information, RIA Novosti reports.