Bush reassures Russia over missile plan

President Bush has told Russia it not to fear America's new missile interceptor system which will be based in Eastern Europe.

He even invited them to co-operate with America but also accused President Putin of derailing Russia's democracy.

President Bush is in the Czech Republic to meet Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek about the controversial.

Washington has said the shield would increase security in the face of a possible threat from Iran or elsewhere in the Middle East.

But, the idea has not been well received by Russia's President Vladimir Putin, who warned Moscow could take "retaliatory steps" including aiming nuclear weapons at US military bases in Europe.

In response to the growing tension between Russia and the US, Mr Bush tried to calm the situation, saying: "The cold war's over. It ended."

Mr Bush and Mr Topolanek met at Prague Castle where they were entertained by a military parade before discussing the possibility of constructing an American radar system in the Czech Republic and ten interceptor missiles in Poland.

Protesters gathered on the Vltava River by Prague Castle to protest Mr Bush's visit, with some demonstrators holding banners reading 'warm planet and cold war?'

From Prague, Mr Bush is to travel to Germany's Baltic Sea resort town of Heiligendamm for the G8 summit between the leaders of the world's eight major industrialised democracies.

The rest of his eight-day European trip will include visits to Poland, Italy, Albania and Bulgaria.

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