``The talk about our weakness is an overstatement,'' Sergeyev said in an interview published in the daily Segodnya. ``If we need, we may build a heavy missile.''

Sergeyev was responding to a question about what the military would do if Russia's parliament does not ratify the START II arms reduction treaty, under which Russia and the United States are to reduce their nuclear forces.

Sergeyev and other military leaders have strongly supported START II, saying that by the year 2007, the treaty's deadline for halving Russian and US arsenals to 3,000-3,500 warheads each, Russia's ageing heavy missiles will have to be decommissioned anyway.

Sergeyev appeared to reiterate his support for the treaty on today, but said Moscow can maintain a credible nuclear force and develop new missiles if necessary.

``Whyshould we go back to the past? the number of warheads doesn't determine anything,'' he said.

Russia and the United States signed START II in 1993, and the US Senate approved it in 1996. The Communist-dominated Russian parliament has delayed ratification, claiming the treaty would damage Russia's security.

Lawmakers appeared ready to approve the treaty earlier this month, but again delayed ratification until next spring to protest US and British air strikes against Iraq.

Sergeyev and other government officials have condemned the strikes on Iraq.

``We aren't going to have a confrontation with America,'' Sergeyev said in the interview. ``But we couldn't keep quiet, since that (raids on Iraq) was a step away from law and toward primeval society.''

``I don't know what our tough stance will bring, but i'm sure that it will be taken into account. Many are applauding us under the table,'' he said.