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US Defends Missile Shield, But Europe Skeptical
Florence (AFP) May 24, 2000 - The United States defended its plans for an anti-missile defense shield Wednesday at the NATO foreign ministers' meeting, but some European allies remained skeptical. US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told her peers that the National Missile Defense (NMD) system -- now under development -- was essential for US security. "The ballistic missile threat from states of concern is growing and real," she said, alluding most notably to North Korea. "And the dangers posed by all weapons of mass destruction must be dealt with firmly and cooperatively." She insisted that the NMD system, if it goes ahead, will not result in a reduction to the United States' "enduring commitment" to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. "We look forward to continuing our consultations with you (about the anti-missile system) on a regular basis," she said. But French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine said: "Questions need to be asked about the reality and scale of the threats (prompting such an anti-missile shield), the technical credibility of the project and its strategic consequences." German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer told reporters: "The US anti-missile shield plan must be put within the bigger framework of a new initiative on disarmament." Russia strongly opposes the US plan, which will require changes to the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) treaty that Washington signed with the former Soviet Union in 1972. At a press conference later Wednesday, Albright said the National Missile Defense system was not directed at Moscow, "and they need to absorb that lesson." Among NATO allies, she added, "there seems to be an understanding of where we are going and some gratitude, I guess, that we are having very frequent briefings on this." Copyright 2000 AFP. All rights reserved. The material on this page is provided by AFP and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. CommunityEmail This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Space
Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India. |
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