Transdnestr would deploy elements of a Russian...

Media reports said earlier that Tiraspol had asked Moscow to set up a missile defense system in Transdnestr to counter U.S. plans to deploy a missile shield in Romania.

"We confirm... that we could deploy what Russia needs," Igor Smirnov said.

Commenting on the possible deployment of a missile shield in Romania, he said that although the decision was "Romania"s internal affair," the deployment of U.S. interceptor missiles "will not be a stabilizing factor."

There has been no official reaction from Moscow to the comment.

The Russian-speaking province of Transdnestr has maintained de facto independence from Moldova since a brief war in 1992, which was the culmination of tensions following the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Russia has had peacekeepers in the region since July 1992.

A U.S. State Department official said earlier the facilities in Romania are to become operational by 2015 and are designed as protection against "current and emerging

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