 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
Czechs, US sign agreement on forces for missile defence system
London (AFP) Sept 19, 2008 US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and his Czech counterpart signed an agreement Friday clearing the way for stationing US forces to operate a missile defence radar in the Czech Republic. The status of forces agreement provides the legal basis for the US presence in the Czech Republic, and marks the last piece of a years long negotiation over the radar, part of a European leg of the US missile defence system that has aroused intense Russian opposition. "This is the culmination of a process to draw our nations closer and help protect Europe," Gates said, adding that he hopes the Czech parliament ratifies the agreement. The Czech radar would be paired with 10 interceptor missiles stationed in Poland with the aim of countering an emerging ballistic missile threat from a "rogue" country, such as Iran. Moscow has vehemently objected to the stationing of the missile defences in the former Soviet bloc countries, insisting that it could one day be turned against Russia's nuclear deterrent. But Czech Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova said she believed the missile defence system would make a significant contribution to regional security. She said the time it took to negotiate the agreement was proof that they were "tough but fair." Gates said decisions on when construction of the radar would begin would await a technical study that is supposed to be concluded in November. If construction begins next year, the system could be in operation between 2011 and 2013. The US Defense Intelligence Agency says that Iran could have long-range missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons by 2015 to 2017.
Community
Related Links Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Outside View: Russia vs. BMD -- Part Two
Moscow (UPI) Sep 18, 2008 The U.S. Department of Defense's decision to deploy 10 Ground-based Mid-course Interceptors in Poland will expose the real interim and end goals of its plans for a global anti-ballistic missile system, which Washington started creating after it withdrew from the Soviet-American 1972 Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002. (Nikita Petrov is a Russian military analyst. This article is reprinted by permission of RIA Novosti. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.) |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Google
Facebook