This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6388713.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| UK-US in talks on missile defence | UK-US in talks on missile defence |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The UK and US have held high level talks on the possibility of putting a "Son of Star Wars" missile defence system on British soil. | The UK and US have held high level talks on the possibility of putting a "Son of Star Wars" missile defence system on British soil. |
| Downing Street stressed talks were at an early stage. The US is thought to favour a site in eastern Europe. | Downing Street stressed talks were at an early stage. The US is thought to favour a site in eastern Europe. |
| Russia has said the system, which will destroy missiles launched at the US, will trigger an arms race. | Russia has said the system, which will destroy missiles launched at the US, will trigger an arms race. |
| Anti-war groups said UK involvement was "ill-conceived", and other critics said it could make Britain a target. | Anti-war groups said UK involvement was "ill-conceived", and other critics said it could make Britain a target. |
| Rebuff denied | Rebuff denied |
| A Downing Street spokeswoman confirmed that Prime Minister Tony Blair thought the discussions were a "good idea". | A Downing Street spokeswoman confirmed that Prime Minister Tony Blair thought the discussions were a "good idea". |
| "We believe that it is an important step towards providing missile defence coverage for Europe," she said. | "We believe that it is an important step towards providing missile defence coverage for Europe," she said. |
| But hours later, US deputy chief of mission in London, David Johnson, seemed to rebuff these claims. | But hours later, US deputy chief of mission in London, David Johnson, seemed to rebuff these claims. |
| He told the BBC: "As we go forward there may be opportunities for us to talk to other countries about their needs. | He told the BBC: "As we go forward there may be opportunities for us to talk to other countries about their needs. |
| How defence system works Q&A: Son of Star Wars | How defence system works Q&A: Son of Star Wars |
| "But right now we are concentrating on the Czech Republic and on Poland as the primary sites where we would be looking for this." | "But right now we are concentrating on the Czech Republic and on Poland as the primary sites where we would be looking for this." |
| Shortly afterwards, the American embassy released a statement on Mr Johnson's behalf, saying any suggestion of a rebuff was "nonsense". | Shortly afterwards, the American embassy released a statement on Mr Johnson's behalf, saying any suggestion of a rebuff was "nonsense". |
| "We have been and will be in discussions with the British government as we develop our missile defence system and be open to opportunities for joint work as we go forward." | "We have been and will be in discussions with the British government as we develop our missile defence system and be open to opportunities for joint work as we go forward." |
| BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said talks were continuing between the National Security Council and Britain's top foreign affairs adviser Sir Nigel Sheinwald. | BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said talks were continuing between the National Security Council and Britain's top foreign affairs adviser Sir Nigel Sheinwald. |
| The system uses radar and satellites to detect enemy missile launches and to guide interceptors to their targets. | The system uses radar and satellites to detect enemy missile launches and to guide interceptors to their targets. |
| Honesty plea | Honesty plea |
| Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said the Conservatives would not oppose locating part of the system in the UK, but wanted to examine it in detail. | Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said the Conservatives would not oppose locating part of the system in the UK, but wanted to examine it in detail. |
| "We have had no details at all from the government despite asking a lot of questions in Parliament. | "We have had no details at all from the government despite asking a lot of questions in Parliament. |
| Even if it did work, it would be tackling the wrong problem at the wrong time Paul IngramBritish American Security Information Council Politics of missile defence | Even if it did work, it would be tackling the wrong problem at the wrong time Paul IngramBritish American Security Information Council Politics of missile defence |
| "If the government really do want to maintain what they regard as a bipartisan approach to defence in this country, they better start getting honest with the opposition," said Mr Fox. | "If the government really do want to maintain what they regard as a bipartisan approach to defence in this country, they better start getting honest with the opposition," said Mr Fox. |
| The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) condemned UK involvement and warned the system could enable the US to attack other countries without fear of retaliation. | The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) condemned UK involvement and warned the system could enable the US to attack other countries without fear of retaliation. |
| CND chairman Kate Hudson said: "It puts them on the front line in a future war. The US must call a halt to this dangerous and provocative system, and Britain must not participate in it." | CND chairman Kate Hudson said: "It puts them on the front line in a future war. The US must call a halt to this dangerous and provocative system, and Britain must not participate in it." |
| 'Rogue states' | 'Rogue states' |
| Poland has recently confirmed the US wants to use its territory to build part of its missile defence base. | Poland has recently confirmed the US wants to use its territory to build part of its missile defence base. |
| The US has also asked permission from the Czech Republic and received the backing of Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek. | The US has also asked permission from the Czech Republic and received the backing of Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek. |
| In 2002, the US withdrew from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty it signed with the Soviet Union. | In 2002, the US withdrew from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty it signed with the Soviet Union. |
| It says a missile defence system could significantly reduce threats from so-called "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea. | It says a missile defence system could significantly reduce threats from so-called "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Missile defence systems like these are already obsolete and incapable of intercepting modern missiles Tom, Reading Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY Missile defence systems like these are already obsolete and incapable of intercepting modern missiles Tom, Reading Send us your comments |
| But Paul Ingram, of the British American Security Information Council, also warned that the system would make Britain a potential target. | But Paul Ingram, of the British American Security Information Council, also warned that the system would make Britain a potential target. |
| And he told the BBC the success of the system was "a long way from being proven". | And he told the BBC the success of the system was "a long way from being proven". |
| "Even if it did work, it would be tackling the wrong problem at the wrong time," he told the BBC. | "Even if it did work, it would be tackling the wrong problem at the wrong time," he told the BBC. |
| "The proliferation of ballistic missile technology is not as racing away as we are being led to believe. | "The proliferation of ballistic missile technology is not as racing away as we are being led to believe. |
| "It has no relevance at all when it comes to issues like the war on terror." | "It has no relevance at all when it comes to issues like the war on terror." |
| Meanwhile, US defence officials say one part of the missile defence programme based at RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire - an early warning radar system upgrade - is almost complete. | |
| The government faced opposition in 2003 when it agreed the work could go ahead. | The government faced opposition in 2003 when it agreed the work could go ahead. |