Defense: Despite denials, U.S. eyes missile-defense shield in Turkey

Xinhua - Despite denial from Ankara, a U.S. defense lobbyist said Turkey and the United States are engaged in negotiations over the possible deployment of a missile-defense shield in Turkey, local Daily News reported Wednesday.

The report quoted Riki Ellison, chairman of the U.S.-based Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, as saying "Negotiations are happening already and they will continue to go forward."

He said the report last week of a Polish newspaper is "valid".

The stir began last week when the Warsaw-based daily Gazeta Wyborcza reported U.S. President Barack Obama has "all but abandoned" plans to locate parts of a controversial U.S. missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.

The newspaper said the Pentagon has been asked to explore switching planned interceptor-rocket launch sites from the two central European states to Israel, Turkey or the Balkans

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