Quote: Nato’s European leaders endorsed US plans to build a missile defence system in Europe, strengthening President George W. Bush’s hand as he prepares for talks at the weekend with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
The leaders, meeting at a Nato summit in Bucharest on Thursday, decided that the alliance should welcome the system and extend it to Turkey and areas in the Balkans that would not be covered by current US plans.
The decision marks a big shift within Nato over an issue that until early last year divided the alliance. US and European officials said the change followed intensified US efforts to consult with its allies – and with Russia – over the system’s configuration.
“People said this would be the latest wedge issue between the US and Europe,” a US official said. “The Europeans have come to the view that our offer was clearly a very serious one, very detailed and open to working with the Russians.”
Ironically, the consultations intensified after a bellicose speech by Mr Putin last February in Munich in which he attacked US missile defence, expressing the fear that it was directed against Russia.
Washington said the system needed to deal with Iran’s missile and nuclear ambitions, and was too small and in the wrong place to affect Russia’s nuclear deterrent.
Nato statement on Thursday indicates that allies share the US view that Iran poses a potential threat to Europe.
Full article: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/64bd6614-01bf-11dd-a323-000077b07658.html
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