Romania to place elements of anti-missile shield in Deveselu, Olt county

Elements of the anti-missile shield will be located in Romanian village of Deveselu, in Olt county, at an unused military camp, according to Romanian president Traian Basescu. Several locations have been analyzed to locate the 24 interception missiles, which will be functional in 2015. Then, the US four-step anti-missile shield program will get to its second phase. The US has previosuly scrapped a plan to locate the anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic and chose Romania instead. Parts of the entire system would however be located in the two CEE countries we well. Basescu said the system would "protect the whole of Romania's territory", but stressed that it "is not directed against Russia". A military airport is located in Deveselu, Olt county of Romania, laying over 500 hectares. The military camp was closed down in 2002. 200 American soldiers will be camped there, with the total capacity of the camp reaching 500. The camp will be managed by Romanian military authorities. editor@romania-insider.com