NATO orders missile study, urges Russia to link up defences

MISSILE DEFENSE

by Staff Writers
Bucharest (AFP) April 3, 2008
NATO leaders ordered experts Thursday to draw up options for a missile system that would complement the US anti-missile shield and provide cover to some allies left out in the cold, a statement said.

They also urged Russia to consider linking up its missile defences to the US shield -- despite Moscow's hostility towards it -- and to the system the alliance plans to develop.

The leaders said they "recognise the substantial contribution to the protection of allies from long-range ballistic missiles to be provided by the planned deployment of European-based United States missile defence assets.

"We task the council in permanent session to develop options for a comprehensive missile defence architecture to extend coverage to all allied territory and populations not otherwise covered."

Washington announced in January 2007 that it wanted to install 10 missile interceptors in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic to cover US territory and that of some European allies, and wanted it operational by 2013.

The shield is aimed at countering attacks from "rogue states" such as Iran.

The problem for NATO is that four members -- Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey -- are only partly covered or left out of the umbrella all together, undermining the "indivisibility of allied security."

To resolve this, the alliance has been discussing plans to "bolt on" to the US shield an in-theatre missile system, usually used to protect troops in battle, which it is developing and hopes to have in use by 2010.

Ahead of a summit Friday with Russian President Vladmir Putin, the NATO leaders said they "are committed to maximum transparency and reciprocal confidence building measures to allay any concerns."

"We are ready to explore the potential for linking United States, NATO and Russian missile defence systems at an appropriate time."

They also urged Russia, which is concerned about its old Cold War foe setting up military shop even closer to its borders, to accept an offer of missile cooperation from Washington.

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MISSILE DEFENSE

US, Czech Republic agree on missile defense radar

Bucharest (AFP) April 3, 2008
The United States and the Czech Republic said they reached agreement Thursday on the stationing in the Czech Republic of a US missile defense radar strongly opposed by Russia.

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