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Washington, September 19, 2009 – U .S. President Barack Obama is
dropping plans for a missile defense system with interceptors in Poland
and a radar facility in the Czech Republic. It is a dramatic reversal of
a Bush administration policy that created deep tensions with Russia.
President Obama says he is scrapping the Bush administration's proposal,
and replacing it with a plan that is more flexible and effective.
"The best way to responsibly advance our security and the security of
our allies is to deploy a missile defense system that best responds to
the threats that we face and that utilizes technology that is both
proven and cost effective," President Obama said.
He says his decision was guided in large part by new intelligence that
shows Iran is focusing on the development of medium and short-range
missiles. The original missile defense policy was based on the
assumption that Tehran was seeking a long-range capability.
"This new ballistic missile defense program will best address the threat
posed by Iran's ongoing ballistic missile defense program," the
president said.
Mr. Obama says the change in policy was also prompted by advances in
technology, including improvements in land and sea-based interceptors
and the sensors that support them.
He says these improved systems will be gradually deployed, starting in
about 2011. Under his plan the large centralized radar facility proposed
for the Czech Republic will not be needed, nor will the earlier
generation of ground-based interceptors planned for Poland.
"To put it simply: our new missile defense architecture in Europe will
provide stronger, smarter and swifter defenses of American forces and
America's allies," he said.
President Obama made the announcement at the White House after first
informing the leaders of Poland and the Czech Republic. He said the
decision to drop the old missile defense plan in no way lessens
America's commitment to their security.
The policy shift is sure to be on the agenda next week when Mr. Obama is
likely to meet, at either the United Nations or the Group of 20 economic
summit, with Russian President Dmitiri Medvedev.
Plans for a missile defense system in parts of the former Soviet bloc
have been an irritant between Washington and Moscow. And in making the
announcement, President Obama said once again the American drive for a
missile shield has never had anything to do with Russia.
"Our clear and consistent focus has been the threat posed by Iran's
ballistic missile program and that continues to be our focus and the
basis of the program that we are announcing today," President Obama
said.
Republican leaders in the U.S. Congress were quick to criticize
President Obama's decision. In a written statement, the top Republican
in the House of Representatives, John Boehner of Ohio, accused the White
House of empowering Russia at the expense of America's European allies.
Source: VOA, 17 Sep 2009
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