RUSSIA is ready to drop its opposition to plans to carry out tests on the controversial "Son of Star Wars" project, according to White House National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice.

In return US President George Bush would postpone any decision on effectively cancelling the 1972 Anti Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty.

Until now, Russia has been fiercely opposed to any tests for the missile defence project, which is likely to involve RAF Fylingdales and Menwith Hill.

But Ms Rice told the New York Times that months of consultations between the two countries were "now bearing fruit".

She added: "I think that the Russians are beginning to see that what we've said all along is true - that the near-term programme for missile defence, which is really a testing and evaluation programme, is not actually a threat to them."

The US wants to carry out three missile defence tracking tests which would violate the terms of the ABM - which is regarded as "sacrosanct" by Russia and several NATO countries.

Under the agreement being hammered out by Ms Rice, Russia would effectively turn a blind eye to the tests.

But it would not resolve the long-term issue of how the US could bring in "Son of Star Wars" without tearing up the treaty.

The talks between Russia and the US reflect a renewed sense of urgency about the project in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

This has seen the controversial issue once again rise up the political agenda in Washington and Westminster.

Last week Prime Minister Tony Blair moved a step closer to supporting the project by stating he "does not agree" with its opponents.

Updated: 08:34 Friday, February 08, 2002