Germany wants NATO-Russia dialogue on US anti-missile system

Germany wants NATO-Russia dialogue on US anti-missile system

	Published : Fri, 02 Mar 2007 14:09 By : Agencies Print this Story

WIESBADEN, Germany (AFX) - German Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung called on Friday for NATO to seek talks with Russia on the planned US anti-missile system in eastern Europe which Moscow strongly opposes.

'We need to discuss the development of such a system within NATO and we need to discuss the questions which concern Russia with a NATO-Russia council,' said Jung, on the sidelines of a meeting of defence ministers of the EU member states, most of which are also NATO members.

The United States announced in January it had begun negotiations with Poland and the Czech Republic to install a radar and 10 missile interceptors, prompting strong objections from neighbouring Russia and an outcry in Europe.

Washington maintains that the system would help protect its European allies and is only meant to be used against 'rogue threats' from countries like Iran or North Korea.

On Thursday the head of the US missile agency said in Brussels that the plans to extend a missile defence system into Europe also includes a radar system based in the Caucasus.

The 'forward deployable radar' would provide an 'early acquisition track' on any hostile missile for a bigger radar system based in the Czech Republic, US Air Force Lieutenant General Henry Obering said during a trip to Brussels.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed that Russia will come up with a 'highly effective' response to the US plans.

'Our response will be asymmetrical but highly effective,' Putin said on February.

Russia already has a type of missile, the Topol-M, that can penetrate the planned US defence shield, which would include a radar and interceptor missiles, Putin said.

Earlier this month a Russian general warned that Russia could aim missiles at neighbors Poland and the Czech Republic if they allow components of the US missile shield on their soil.

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