Romania Approves U.S. Antimissile Shield Location

05.03.2011 By Gavrila Oana

Romania’s highest defense body approved the setting up of U.S. antimissile shield elements at a former airbase at Deveselu, in the southern Romanian Olt county, President Traian Basescu said Tuesday.

The president said the airbase remains under Romanian command.

Basescu said 200 U.S. troops will be deployed in Deveselu, for starters, adding the airbase will remain under the command of the Romanian Air Force.

Basescu reiterated the U.S. antimissile shield is a defensive, not an offensive, system and is in no way directed at Russia.