Russia"s envoy to NATO has poured cold water...

Transdnestr leader Igor Smirnov confirmed Monday that his republic would deploy elements of a Russian missile defense system if Moscow asked. Media reports said earlier that Tiraspol had asked Moscow to set up a missile defense system in Transdnestr to counter U.S. plans to deploy a missile shield in Romania.

Russia"s envoy to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said Transdnestr"s move to deploy Russian Iskander missiles could lead to a serious regional conflict, and added that there could be no talk yet of bilateral efforts to "reset" Russian-U.S. relations if Moscow continues to hear the United States" plans to deploy missiles in Romania from mass media.

"This situation could lead to a rather serious regional argument or even a political conflict. In regard to whether Iskanders should be deployed there or not, Iskander [missiles are] not a means to be used in such talks," he said.

"How can we talk of a true partnership with Washington if we read unpleasant news in newspapers,"

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