Lithuania ready to host missile shield

BUENOS AIRES, July 19 (UPI) -- Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus says his country is ready to conduct talks with the United States about hosting elements of a missile defense system.

Negotiations between the United States and Poland to deploy 10 anti-missile missiles in the country as part of an eastern European missile shield have stalled, and Adamkus says his country is willing to step into the breach, RIA Novosti reported Saturday.

While visiting Buenos Aires, Adamkus told the Argentine newspaper La Nacion he's open to such discussions.

"Lithuania is not currently engaged in negotiations with the United States on deploying a missile shield on our territory," he reportedly said. "However, we believe that this anti-missile system is an important element of European and international security. Therefore, if necessary, we are ready to work with our partners to deploy it."

RIA Novosti said Poland is driving a hard bargain in talks with the United States. It wants generous upgrades to its air defense systems in return for hosting the anti-missile base, the Russian news agency said.