Polish official: US, Lithuania in talks over missile shield

Polish deputy foreign minister Witold Waszczykowski insists that Vilnius is in talks with Washington over the deployment of US missile shield elements in Lithuania, France Press reported on Wedensday. The Lithuanian foreign ministry today refuted yesterday's reports in the Russian media over the allegedly on-going negotiations.

The talks with Lithuania could be US's method of pressure on Poland in order to expedite the deployment of US anti-missile defense systems on its territory.

Officials in Poland have confirmed that US President George Bush is keen to complete negotiations with Poland before the presidential race kicks off in Washington, reports Ria-Novosti.