US scrutinises Russian missile test

A Russian test of a long-range missile is getting a close look from the Bush administration to determine if it is part of a programme designed to foil a US anti-missile shield.

For intelligence reasons, US officials are reluctant to discuss the test except to say a long-range missile was tested about two weeks ago.

Among the questions under review are whether the missile’s flight took an unusual path and whether it carried new technology designed to overcome ‘‘Son of Star Wars’’ missile defence plans being explored by the Bush administration.

Officials briefed senators and the House Appropriations Committee’s defence panel in separate closed sessions yesterday on the accelerated US programme.

Various options are under consideration, including a land-based system of 100 interceptors that would be based in Alaska and guided by a long-range radar station in the Aleutian Islands.

Condoleezza Rice, President George W Bush’s national security adviser, declined to comment on specifics after her top secret meeting with senators, calling it simply ‘‘a great time for consultation’’.

She rejected last week’s criticism by Democratic senators that some administration officials seemed overly trustful of the Russians.

‘‘The Cold War is clearly over,’’ she said in an interview. ‘‘That was with the Soviet Union. I think the administration has a realistic posture toward Russia, which is a country I’ve known for a long time, and understand pretty well.’’