The US President, George W Bush, is keen to push ahead with his plans to develop a missile defence system in eastern Europe. Mr Bush has stressed it is not aimed at Russia but, as Deputy Foreign Editor Anthony Murnane reports, he is having a hard job selling it to Moscow.
'Russia is not our enemy' – George W Bush could have been no clearer. His rhetoric of recent days is intended to win over Russian objections to his plans to build a new defence shield to take out missiles launched from abroad.
It would involve radars and anti-missile missile bases on both side of the Atlantic. It is the plans to put 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic that have angered Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's objections are threefold. He says it could all threaten Russia's own defences; the radar could be used to spy on his territory; and, he fears, it could be the start of something bigger on his doorstep.
Some people in the Czech Republic are not too happy either. The residents in the village of Stitov, close to the proposed radar site, are concerned for their health, are fearful they will become a terrorist target and are unhappy with what they see as an information deficit from Washington.
When news of the US's plans broke earlier in the year, Mr Putin (left) threatened to target his missiles on European countries. It all brings back memories of the Cold War and the tit for tat retaliation between the superpowers. But all the worries in the world are unlikely to thwart the American plan.
This is a hugely important project for Mr Bush. He is keen to develop a foreign policy initiative to offset the Iraq experience. 'The Cold War is over, you are not our enemy' - these were his words to Moscow as he worked hard to allay Moscow's fears.
There are new enemies in the eyes of the US President and they are Iran and North Korea. Both countries are understood to be developing nuclear weapons.
Mr Bush believes these bases in eastern Europe will fill a gap in the US missile defence system. The White House is asking Russia to go with it on this one.
'My message will be Vladimir - I call him Vladimir - that you shouldn't fear a missile defence system.' That was the US President before a G8 summit in June (below). He may have called him Vladimir but so far words are not enough for Moscow. 
During a visit to the city earlier this month Condoleezza Rice and Robert Gates were told in plain language that Moscow sees the shield as a potential threat and wants it neutralised. The Cold War may be over but it is Washington's old enemy that is trying to undo Mr Bush's plan.
The Czech government agrees in principle but is negotiating conditions. Poland also wants further talks.
Washington is working hard on this one. Abroad, the Defence Secretary Robert Gates is working to ease Moscow's concerns. His rhetoric has turned to transparency and delays in activating the sites until Iran became a confirmed threat by taking action like testing its own missiles. At home, Mr Bush is still trying to persuade politicians on the Hill to finance the elaborate plan.
- Anthony Murnane
