----- Original Message ----- From: Dick Withecombe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: STOP NATO <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 7:17 PM Subject: Cook praises US missile plan [STOPNATO.ORG.UK] STOP NATO: NO PASARAN! - HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- ListBot Sponsor -------------------------- Start Your Own FREE Email List at http://www.listbot.com/links/joinlb ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Cook praises US missile plan By Andrew Parker in Washington Published: February 7 2001 21:38GMT | Last Updated: February 8 2001 09:43GMT http://news.ft.com/ft/gx.cgi/ftc?pagename=View&c=Article&cid=FT37HTAIXIC&live=true&tag id=ZZZGXV4R00C The US administration's controversial plans for a national missile defence system could deliver a "net gain" in international security, Robin Cook, foreign secretary, said on Wednesday. Mr Cook also hinted that Britain would help the US if it decided that establishing the missile defence system involved upgrading a US radar station at Fylingdales, North Yorkshire. Speaking on the second and final day of his visit to Washington, Mr Cook said the government had got off to a "flying start" in its relationship with the new administration. He was the first European foreign minister to visit Washington since the inauguration of George W. Bush as US president. The government has so far sought to remain neutral on the US plans for the missile defence system, and refused to say whether it would co-operate in the upgrading of the US radar station at Fylingdales. Russia and most European Union member states are opposed to the US plans, and some Labour MPs fear the missile defence system could unleash a new arms race. Mr Cook said the new US administration, as part of a review of the plans, may consult allies on the scope for including Europe in a missile defence shield. He also welcomed the administration's willingness to engage in a dialogue with Russia. The administration has said the system would provide protection against rogue nuclear states, and not be directed at Russia. Mr Cook said it was in Russia's interest to reach agreement with the US on a revision of the 1972 anti-ballistic missile treaty that prohibits any national missile defence system. "On the question of what happens if national missile defence proceeds; if it means the US feels more secure and therefore feels more able to assert itself in international areas of concern to us, we would regard that as a net gain in security." Mr Cook said he had not been asked during a meeting with Colin Powell, US secretary of state, if Britain would co-operate in the upgrading of the US radar station at Fylingdales as part of the missile defence system. "We need to know what is the system . . . But Britain is the US's closest ally. It is not in our national interest that our ally should feel any sense of insecurity of vulnerability. We will of course seek to respond in a way you would expect of a close ally." Asked if Europe might be included in the US plans for the missile defence system, Mr Cook said: "It is a potential angle to the dialogue, to the consultation. I would not exaggerate the extent to which there is current interest in Europe in such protection. That reflects the fact we are a lot further away from North Korea and from the other areas that are perceived as potential threats." ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
