NATO chief confident in alliance consensus on missile defense

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on Monday expressed confidence that the alliance members will reach consensus on whether to develop a missile defense system.

"As always in the history of NATO, there will be the consensus on this subject," he told a joint press conference with Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek at the NATO headquarters.

But he said there will be no timelines for the conclusion of the debate as unanimity is required for NATO decisions. "I don't know how much time that will take. I cannot possibly give you timelines for that debate."

The NATO chief indicated his favor for a missile defense shield.

"In the framework of the indivisibility of security, missile defense, the threats of missiles in the dangerous area we are living, is also certainly an item which should be permanently on NATO's agenda."

Topolanek said he was happy that discussions over missile defense have started in NATO. "I am happy to state that bilateral discussions with the United States are triggering this discussion within the alliance," said Topolanek through an interpreter.

Heads of state and government of NATO member states directed the alliance's decision-making North Atlantic Council to analyze threats from long-range missiles and explore the possibility of developing a missile defense system for the alliance.

The United States is trying to negotiate with Poland and the Czech Republic on the deployment of components of its own missile defense system in these two countries.

Washington plans to deploy a radar station in the Czech Republic and interceptors in Poland.

Washington claims the deployment is directed against possible missile attacks from Iran or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. But Russia has expressed doubt, pointing out that it may take decades for Iran to have missiles that can reach the United States.

De Hoop Scheffer said it is up to Washington and the two Eastern European countries to decide the pace of the negotiations. But he admitted the bilateral negotiations will influence the speed of NATO-wide debate.

Topolanek defended his country's position on the issue. "As for the 18 European Union member states who host U.S. military bases, it is not up to them to comment on possible existence of such a presence in the territories of the Czech Republic."

Some NATO allies have concerns about the U.S. plan to extend its missile defense shield in Europe.

Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn on Monday warned that the U.S. move might prompt Russia to point more missiles at Europe.

There will be no stability in Europe if Russia is pushed into corner, he said before an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels.

Of the 26 member countries of NATO, 21 are EU members.

Source: Xinhua