U.S. to discuss use of radar site

Officials from Russia and the U.S. will hold talks in early September on Moscow's offer of the joint use of a radar station it leases in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said.

Russian President Vladimir V. Putin offered the U.S. military use of the radar station as part of a counter-proposal to Washington's plans to locate elements of a missile defense shield in the Czech Republic and Poland.

The U.S. says its shield is designed to protect against possible attacks by "rogue" states such as Iran, but Russia says the plan is a threat to its security.