Gates hopes to sway Russia on anti-missile system

RAF MILDENHALL, England — Despite initial disagreements with Russian officials, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates expressed hope on Saturday about quelling Russian fears about a U.S.-backed missile defense system in Europe.

Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Russia on Friday to resolve some of the differences that have pushed relations between Russia and the United States toward a post-Cold War low. One of the sharpest disagreements centered on a U.S.-proposed missile-defense network in Central Europe.