Russia refused to permit inspectors from the Czech Republic and Poland to enter Russian missile bases, but Moscow is open to having its inspectors tour any missile defense facilities that the United States builds in the Czech Republic and Poland, RIA Novosti reported.
In blistering terms, a newly bellicose Russia has excoriated U.S. plans to build a European Missile Defense (EMD) system to shield Europe and the United States against missiles that Iran might launch.
Russian leaders even threaten to use nuclear weapons to demolish any defensive EMD site.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev threatened anew to respond to any construction of the EMD system. Separately, however, he urged improved Russian relations with the United States.
The Czechs and Poles refuse to accept permanent Russian inspectors at EMD sites, unless Russia agrees to admit Czech and Polish inspectors at its missile sites. But Russia ruled out admitting those inspectors to its facilities.
Meanwhile, U.S. military experts have opened talks with the Czechs on deploying the EMD radar system, the news agency reported. The radar would link to EMD interceptors in ground silos in Poland.
Separately, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the U.S. Republican vice presidential nominee, said Georgia should gain admittance to NATO, and then the United States could use military force against Russia if it attacked Georgia.