Official Moscow will show an explicitly negative reaction to the deployment of anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system in Turkey, Anatoly Tsiganok, Head of the Center for Military Forecasts, told NEWS.am.

The expert believes that Ankara is most likely to decline Washington’s ABM deployment plans, as the system is officially aimed against Iran, whereas “Turkey is seeking friendship with Iran.”

“I think it is cooperation with Iran than may make Turkey decline the United States’ proposal. This is not the first instance of Anti-American sentiments in Turkey. Let us take Turkey’s refusal to allow U.S. warships to remain within the boundaries of its territorial waters for more than 24 hours,” the expert said.

Tsiganok also believes that Turkey is already deploying the ABM system, and this process is “an absolutely secret one” unlike similar processes in other countries. “The United States has its airdromes in that country. Turkey is much dependent on the United States, especially what concerns arms supply,” the expert said.

According to him, under the circumstances, Russia and Turkey, “under the pretext of Americanism,” are dealing with their domestic problems. “Neither of them wants the U.S. Navy to have its ships in the Black Sea.”

As regards Iran, which is referred to as a reason for ABM deployment in both Turkey and Persian Gulf, the expert believes that Iran has no missiles that would reach the United States. “The Pentagon actually agrees to the opinion of the Russian Ministry of Defense,” Tsiganok said.

Commenting on Russia’s military doctrine recently approved by RF President Dmitry Medvedev, Tsiganok said: “Over the past 5-6 years NATO has been dealing with its economic problems. Russia approved this doctrine in case NATO tries to penetrate our alliance, which may cause a local conflict.”

According to the expert, by penetrating the Caucasus, NATO will resolve the energy resource transportation problem.

T.P.