(1888PressRelease)
December 01, 2007 - As a response to increased threat from nations such as Iran and North Korea, the United States plans on building a missile defense system in Eastern Europe. This missile defense system composed of 10 rocket interceptors and tracking radar has the ability of protecting part of Europe as well as the US from a possible missile attack.
In February, Poland and Czech Republic agreed that the United States may use their territories to build the missile defense system on. The two countries' decision to support the US was met with fierce opposition both in Poland and Czech Republic. In both countries, resistance regarding this topic manifested on street level (protests) and political level (socialists). Even so, the biggest opponent of this whole plan is Russia thus far.
From the beginning of the negotiations, Russia claimed that this system is a threat to its country. They also warned that such a system might lead to a new arms race. To top it off, Russia threatened to ignore the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces agreement signed with the United States in 1987. This pull out of the treaty will give back Russia the potentiality of striking European targets.
Angela Merkel, the German counselor, urged the United States to be more clear and opened about the Missile Defense plan and to reach an agreement with Russia. She expressed some concern regarding the missile plan, due to skepticism not only from Germany but from the rest of Europe as well. Jacques Chirac, the French President from 1995 to 2007, argued that the missile system would only retrigger the growth and development of weapons around the world.
Up until now, only the discussion of a possible US planned missile defense system in Eastern Europe has brought up many controversies and threats. Therefore the US should halt the missile program. There is no imminent threat from the Iran or North Korea towards Europe or the United States. Hence, the program is not worth being built upon a future guess, merely a gamble. It should also not be built in a region where the United States is perceived with incredulity and opposition.
Had the US missile defense system been a good idea, it would have not been so controversial at an international level. Stop the U.S. Missile Defense system in Europe. There is no need for an arms race today, nor is it time for a second Cold War.
###
