US Mulls Missile Defense Systems Expansion To Poland-Official

Morningstar ^ | 06-22-06

[lizol]

US Mulls Missile Defense Systems Expansion To Poland-Official

06-22-06 06:58 AM EST

WARSAW (AP)--Signs that North Korea is preparing to test-fire a long-range missile have given greater urgency to U.S. proposals to expand its missile defense system with a base in Europe, a U.S. official said Thursday.

"North Korea today has a missile on the launch pad and we're all wondering when or if it's going to launch. I think if there ever was a demonstration and a requirement for missile defense, that's kind of it," said Robert Joseph, the U.S. undersecretary of state for arms control and international security.

In an interview with The AP, Joseph also cited Iran as a rising nuclear threat giving impetus to U.S. efforts to set up a ground base in Europe as part of the missile defense system.

"Whether it's Iran or North Korea - both of these states are developing increasingly sophisticated ballistic missile delivery capacities. Both of them are also pursuing nuclear weapons," he said.

Poland is under consideration as a possible host country, and Joseph said while a final decision hasn't been made, negotiations on the matter continue.

"We're having discussions with Poland about the prospect for a third ground- based interceptor site," he said. "We haven't made a decision on that yet. But a base in Europe would provide additional protection, particularly from an Iranian missile threat," Joseph said.

The U.S. has missile interceptor sites in Alaska and California.

Joseph is leading a U.S. delegation to an international meeting in the Polish capital Friday devoted to preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

[NonValueAdded]

bttt