Nato endorses US missile shield

2008-04-03 14:49

Bucharest - Nato leaders have agreed to fully endorse US plans to build a missile defence system in Eastern Europe and to urge Russia to drop its objections to the shield, senior American officials said on Thursday.

The endorsement is contained in a communiqué that the leaders of the 26-nation military alliance will adopt on Thursday during their summit being held here, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of the statement's release.

The document will state that "ballistic missile proliferation poses an increasing threat to allied forces, territory and populations." It will also recognise "the substantial contribution to the protection of allies ... to be provided by the US-led system," the officials said.

The statement calls on all Nato members to explore ways in which the planned US project, to be based in Poland and the Czech Republic, can be linked with future missile shields elsewhere. It says leaders should come up with recommendations to be considered at their next meeting in 2009, the officials said.

The document calls on Russia to accept US and Nato offers to co-operate on the system, which would involve 10 interceptor missiles based in Poland and a tracking radar site in the Czech Republic, the officials said.

Russia vehemently opposes Bush's plan, charging that the intent is to weaken its nuclear deterrent capabilities and upset the balance of power in Europe. Bush has repeatedly denied that, saying the facilities are designed to protect Europe against a potential missile attack - or even just nuclear blackmail - by Iran. The dispute became heated, with confrontational, Cold War-style rhetoric from Moscow.

- AP