(Original story from AFP)

The White House announced Wednesday that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates would travel to Russia next week for talks on issues including a controversial US missile shield.

Rice and Gates will meet with their Russian counterparts March 17 and 18.

"The agenda will cover a broad range of bilateral strategic issues, including missile defense, post start arrangements, cooperation on non-proliferation as well as counterterrorism," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.