Berlin: A senior American diplomat today defended plans for a US-built missile defence system in Europe, saying that while Washington would try to work with Russia to overcome objections, Moscow could not stop the programme from going ahead.

Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried told reporters in Berlin that the US was determined to try to work with the Russians and develop common ground on missile defence. "We explained this to the Russians," Fried said, adding "that doesn t mean that they get a veto over our programmes."

The Pentagon wants to install 10 interceptor rockets in Poland which, when linked to a proposed tracking radar in the Czech Republic and to other elements of the existing US missile defence system based in the United States, is designed to defend all of Europe against a long-range missile fired from the Middle East. The proposal has been presented to the Russians, who strongly oppose having US missile defence bases in Europe, saying it is a threat to their nuclear deterrent.

There had been some confusion this week over whether the United States might delay activating its proposed missile defence sites in Europe to placate Russian opposition. US Defence Secretary Gates told a news conference yesterday in the Czech Republic that the administration might delay activating the proposed missile defence sites until it has "definitive proof" of a missile threat from Iran.

However, US President George W Bush yesterday said that the plans for a missile defence system in Europe are urgently needed to counter an emerging threat of attack by Iran. "The need for missile defence in Europe is real, and I believe it s urgent," Bush said in Washington.

 

Source : PTI