US ′shelves Europe missile plan′ The US is to abandon its controversial plan to build a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic, the Czech prime minister has announced. Reports from the US said it would be dropped as Iran′s long-range missile plans had advanced less than predicted. The US decision marks a major foreign policy shift which could impact on its dealings with Europe, Russia and Iran. The Pentagon has now confirmed there will be a major change, with more details expected later on Thursday. Russia, which saw the missile plan as a threat, welcomed the move. The US signed a deal in August 2008 with Poland to site 10 interceptors at a base near the Baltic Sea, and with the Czech Republic to build a radar station on its territory. President Obama earlier this year ordered a review of the defence system, which was strongly backed by his predecessor George W Bush. European protection On Thursday, Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer said Mr Obama had notified him of the change of plan. He told the BBC that Mr Obama phoned him late last night to inform him that he had "reconsidered" the missile plan. The missile shield was expected to be fully operational by 2012. Washington said the European sites were needed to protect European allies and US forces in Europe from Iran or another country. However, the Wall Street Journal reported: "The US will base its decision on a determination that Iran′s long-range missile program has not progressed as rapidly as previously estimated, reducing the threat to the continental US and major European capitals, according to current and former US officials." The newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, said the White House would order "a shift towards the development of regional missile defences for the Continent" to combat the threat from Iran′s short- and medium-range missiles. Mr Fischer said a US delegation would make an announcement later on Thursday. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates was also due to give a press conference. Iran says its missile development programme is solely for scientific, surveillance or defensive purposes, but there are concerns in the West and among Iran′s neighbours that the rockets could be used to carry nuclear weapons. As part of long-running efforts to tackle the issue, Iran will hold talks on its nuclear programme on 1 October with the UK, China, France, Russia and the US - the five permanent UN Security Council members - and Germany. ′Rogue′ states The Wall Street Journal said the Obama administration "was expected to leave open the option of restarting the Polish and Czech system if Iran makes advances in its long-range missiles in the future". Russia saw the US missile plan as a direct threat to itself, despite US assurances that it was aimed at "rogue" states, such as Iran. Russia′s ambassador to Nato, Dmitry Rogozin, said the move was "a breakthrough" for US-Russian relations, although they were waiting for official confirmation from the US. "It′s like having a decomposing corpse in your flat - and then the mortician comes and takes it away. "This means we′re getting rid of one of those niggling problems which prevented us from doing the real work," he said. In November, Russia moved its own ballistic missiles to Kaliningrad, between Nato member states Lithuania and Poland to "neutralise - if necessary - the [US] anti-missile system", President Dmitry Medvedev said at the time. Mr Medvedev also said Russia would jam the US anti-missile system electronically. The two countries are currently in talks about reducing their nuclear weapons stockpiles, and the US move could influence Russia to be more co-operative, our correspondent says. Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the US move "is a positive step", Associated Press reported. BBC World Affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds The decision would be a huge shift in American foreign and defence policy by the Obama administration. It is a major signal that the US is adopting a far more cautious foreign policy under President Obama. The Russians will be pleased by the news and therefore relations will be eased. But they might also feel triumphant and conclude that their tough approach is one that brings respect and results. The move might also indicate that the Obama team will be looking sceptically at claims Iran is developing an actual nuclear weapon. There will also be debates about the long-term US commitment to Europe. Meanwhile, on the military side, this decision would herald a shift of emphasis in the whole US anti-missile defence strategy. |
