The United States is to shelve plans for a missile-defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, cheering Russia but triggering concern in Central European capitals.
Citing unnamed current and former US officials, the Journal said Washington will base its decision "on a determination that Iran's long-range missile program has not progressed as rapidly as previously estimated, reducing the threat to the continental US and major European capitals".
"The findings, expected to be completed as early as next week following a 60-day review ordered by President Barack Obama, would be a major reversal from the Bush administration, which pushed aggressively to begin construction of the Eastern European system before leaving office in January," it added.
A duty officer at the Pentagon -- where a press conference is scheduled for 10:30 am (1430 GMT) Thursday on an unspecified issue -- had no immediate comment when contacted overnight by AFP.
