The FINANCIAL --

According to RIA Novosti, in his 2009 FY budget proposal, U.S. President George W. Bush requested $719.8 million to deploy elements of the U.S. missile shield in Europe.

  The U.S. administration is planning to construct a base for 10 two-stage missile interceptors in Poland, modify its X-band radar on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific and relocate it to the Czech Republic, and to deploy a new forward-based radar to an unspecified location.

  According to the document submitted to U.S. Congress on February 4, the 2008-2013 budget for the project is estimated at about $4.8 billion.

  In his 2008 FY Budget proposal, Bush asked Congress to approve the allocation of $310 million for the deployment of U.S. missile defenses in Europe, but lawmakers cut the amount by 27% to $225 million.

  At the same time, Congress said it would not allow the Bush administration to spend the allocated budget for the construction of the missile defense infrastructure in Poland and the Czech Republic in 2008, unless Washington signed bilateral agreements with these countries.

  The new 2009 proposal includes the allocation of $96 million for the development of missile shield elements, $382.6 million for the actual deployment of the complexes in both countries, and $241.2 million for construction works.

  The overall 2009 missile defense budget proposed by the Bush administration totals $10.4 billion. It is aimed "to continue to develop, test, and field missile defense systems to protect America, its allies, and deployed forces."

  The budget proposal must be approved by Congress before it becomes effective.

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