Nuclear Non-Proliferation News
November 5, 2007
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News
Welcome to Nuclear Non-Proliferation News, a monthly digest of UK news
on Trident and missile defence.
In this month's edition, anti-Trident action intensifies in Scotland
as hundreds are arrested at Faslane 365's huge direct action
at Faslane on October 1, attracting major coverage in all the main
UK media outlets.
Following the demonstrations, the Scottish government held
a summit on Trident involving politicians, unions, environmentalists
(including Acronym Institute's director, Rebecca Johnson) and church leaders
in Glasgow on October 22. The Scottish government has now set up a working
group to look at "the various devolved powers that could be used
to stop Trident's successor being brought to Scotland". According
to the Scotsman, the group will "look at international law,
transport, planning and the environment as possible obstacles to the UK
government's plans. The Scottish Government, for example, could refuse
planning permission for a dry dock to service the nuclear submarines or
use international law to prevent 'war crimes' being committed in Scotland."
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has written to 122 NPT states parties
asking them to support a request for Scotland to be given
observer status at future meetings of the parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT).
Also in Scotland, former Lord Advocate, Lord Murray,
is one of a delegation of campaigners seeking advice from the current
holder of the office, Eilish Angiolini, on the legality of Trident nuclear
missiles, based on the Clyde.
South of the border, candidates for the Liberal Democrat
leadership have set out their positions on Trident and missile defence.
Front runner Nick Clegg MP told the Independent on Sunday that
"Britain needed to establish 'red lines' with Washington over defence.
He argued that the Prime Minister's decision to allow the United States
to use two UK bases as part of the controversial anti-ballistic missile
programme was 'selling the country short'." While Chris Hulne MP
appealed to the Party's grass roots by breaking with traditional Liberal
Democrat policy to oppose Trident replacement.
Meanwhile, documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveal
a catalogue of safety faults at the UK's Atomic Weapons
Establishment at Burghfield, in Berkshire. According to The Herald the
site has "only remained open because the government and the Ministry
of Defence insisted it was vital to national security."
Following Secretary of State for Defence Des Brown's endorsement for
US missile defence plans (see Proliferation
in Parliament, July - August 2007), the Telegraph reports that
the Government is in talks with the United States that
could lead to the controversial "son of Star Wars" interceptor missiles
being based in Britain. Sir Nigel Sheinwald, the new ambassador to Washington,
has been put in charge of the negotiations. On October 14, BBC News online
reported that about 100 protesters gathered at the Menwith Hill US base
in Yorkshire to object to the base's involvement in the so-called "Star
Wars" programme.
In this month's edition
An archive of press coverage is available on our website at: www.acronym.org.uk/news.
We welcome your comments and feedback. Please send your comments to info@acronym.org.uk.
Scottish Summit on Trident
When
is a nation not a nation? When it can't say no to Trident
Ian Jack, The Guardian, October 27, 2007
Alex Salmond, Scotland's nationalist first minister, is making the
dialect/language and nation/nation state difference visible by attacking
government plans to renew the UK's ability to deploy nuclear weapons -
by replacing the submarine-launched Trident missile system when the four
Vanguard-class nuclear submarines reach the end of their working life
in the 2020s.
A
canny plan to rain on the Trident parade
Iain MacWhirter, The Herald, October 22, 2007
Nuclear weapons have been located in the Clyde since the sixties - get
over it. However, there has never been any serious attempt to use public
policy to challenge Trident until now. Alex Salmond is planning to pit
the agencies of the state against the defence of the realm.
SNP gathers
forces to fight Trident missile replacement
Louise Gray, The Scotsman, October 23, 2007
Following a summit involving politicians, unions, environmentalists and
church leaders in Glasgow yesterday, Bruce Crawford, the minister for
parliamentary business, announced a working group to look at the various
devolved powers that could be used to stop Trident's successor being brought
to Scotland by 2025. He said the group would look at international law,
transport, planning and the environment as possible obstacles to the UK
government's plans. The Scottish Government, for example, could refuse
planning permission for a dry dock to service the nuclear submarines or
use international law to prevent "war crimes" being committed in Scotland.
The group will also look at how Scotland can take part in the 2010 nuclear
non-proliferation treaty talks.
Group
to look at keeping new Trident out of Clyde
Kevin Schofield, The Herald, October 23, 2007
A group is to be set up to examine ways of preventing a replacement for
the Trident nuclear weapons system being based on the Clyde. The group,
which will be backed by the Scottish Government, will look at how the
Scottish Parliament can use its powers in areas such as planning, transport
and the environment to block the UK Government's £20bn renewal plan.
SNP
In Pledge To Block New Nuclear Weapons
Magnus Gardham, Daily Record, Glasgow, October 23, 2007
THE SNP government are to set up a taskforce to stop a new generation
of Trident nuclear weapons being based in Scotland. The group will look
at how to use Holyrood's powers on planning, transport and the environment
to thwart UK government proposals. The move was agreed at a summit called
by SNP ministers in Glasgow yesterday. Church leaders and union chiefs
will sit on the group, which will be supported by civil servants. The
taskforce will also investigate whether Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent,
based at Faslane on the Clyde, breaches international law.
Suggestions
that Trident is of no interest to Scots beggar belief
Letters, The Herald, October 23, 2007
The reported comments of Sir Malcolm Rifkind [former Conservative Secretary
of State for Defence] that "this is not an issue in which the Scottish
government has any interest at all", and Wendy Alexander [Scottish Labour
leader] that "this is a matter reserved for the UK government" beggar
belief. That such statements were made by two native-born Scots makes
them all the more reprehensible.
For
want of a majority, Alex takes the low road
By Alan Cochrane, Telegraph.co.uk, October 23, 2007
There is apparently no end to the posturing and posing of this new Executive
of ours. Not content with not "governing" — their word, not mine — because
they can't, they've no majority, the SNP is seeking pastures new. Alex
Salmond has written to the likes of Iran and Zimbabwe, asking to be allowed
to take part in, ostensibly, anti-nuclear proliferation, but actually
anti-British, talks and yesterday his minions got together with a few
other like-minded souls and held an anti-Trident "summit" in Glasgow.
How
much longer will we have to put up with Scots spending so much of our
money?
Max Hastings, Daily Mail, October 23, 2007
Last month, he [Salmond] wrote to representatives of 189 nations,
including some of the nastiest dictatorships, soliciting their support
for his campaign to 'rid Scotland of nuclear weapons'. He wants Trident
submarines out of the Faslane naval base. He knows this will not happen,
but he reckons he can stir up a fine row on the issue and thoroughly annoy
the English.
Debate
over economic impact of closure
Louise Gray, The Scotsman, October 22, 2007
The Ministry of Defence claims Faslane naval base would cease to exist
if the deterrent was not based there and thousands of jobs would be lost...
Yesterday, at a summit of politicians, campaigners and individuals in
Glasgow, the economic case was again at the fore.
Environment
fears could block Trident expansion
Rob Edwards, Sunday Herald, October 13, 2007
PLANS TO refurbish the Clyde naval bases to accommodate a replacement
for the Trident nuclear weapons system could be stymied by Scottish ministers,
according to an internal memo from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). A new
dry dock for servicing nuclear submarines would require planning permission,
while other developments would be subject to a raft of pollution controls.
These are all the responsibility of the Scottish government, not Westminster.
Scottish Government request for NPT Observer Status
Salmond:
help us get rid of Trident
Rob Edwards, Sunday Herald, October 30, 2007
ALEX SALMOND has made a major bid to win international backing for
his government's campaign to rid Scotland of nuclear weapons, the Sunday
Herald can reveal. The first minister has written to 122 countries highlighting
the nation's opposition to the deployment of Trident nuclear warheads
on the Clyde, and his determination to try and block the UK government's
decision to replace Trident. Salmond is also asking the countries to support
a request for Scotland to be given observer status at future meetings
of the parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), an international
agreement to limit the spread of nuclear weapons.
Salmond
wants nuclear treaty role
BBC News Online, October 22, 2007
First Minister Alex Salmond is seeking support from the international
community in his campaign to rid Scotland of nuclear weapons. He has written
to representatives of 189 countries signed up to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT). Mr Salmond is asking them to back his bid for Scotland to
have observer status at future treaty talks. Labour MP Eric Joyce said
the letter could "potentially damage our national security interests".
Salmond
asks UN for Scots role at nuclear treaty talks
Robbie Dinwoodie, The Herald, October 22, 2007
The First Minister is asking the UN to grant Scotland the right to attend
the next round of talks on halting the spread of nuclear weapons. Alex
Salmond argues because the UK's nuclear deterrent is based north of the
border, Scotland should be accorded observer status at the next round
of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) talks in spring - a gathering
in Vienna that will begin preparations for the 2010 review of the treaty.
Salmond
riles Westminster over arms talks
The Scotsman, October 22, 2007
ALEX Salmond has infuriated the Westminster government by seeking support
from the international community to get Scotland into future global arms
talks.
Scotland
is key to ending nuclear arms race
Letters, The Herald, October 22, 2007
"It is not an issue for which the Scottish Government has any interest
at all" - thus, speaking on Radio Scotland this morning, and with all
the legal and political weight he could muster, Sir Malcolm Rifkind referred
to the continued and renewable presence of Trident at Faslane... In more
ordinary usages of the word "interest" it is hard to see how any government
of Scotland would not find the presence of nuclear weapons in Scottish
waters and on Scottish soil of intense and dreadful interest to its citizens
as part of the "essential" defences of the UK (as perhaps, Guantanamo
is essential to the defence of the US?).
International
plea over Trident
BBC News Online, October 21, 2007
First Minister Alex Salmond has sought support from the international
community for his government's anti-Trident campaign. Mr Salmond has written
to 189 countries signed up to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Salmond
bid for seat at UN
Scotland on Sunday, October 21, 2007
Last night, UK ministers reacted with incredulity, accusing him of undermining
Britain's foreign policy and making common cause with nations hostile
to British interests. But the SNP remained unapologetic, insisting that
as Britain's nuclear arsenal is based in Scotland, it has a right to express
its view.
Trident
legality challenged
Lord
Advocate is asked to rule on legality of Trident
James Morgan, The Herald, October 9, 2007
The former Lord Advocate, Lord Murray, is seeking advice from the current
holder of the office, Eilish Angiolini, on the legality of Trident nuclear
missiles. Lord Murray was one of a delegation of campaigners who yesterday
made a submission to the Lord Advocate, calling on her to examine evidence
that the nuclear deterrent, housed at Faslane naval base on the Clyde,
may be illegal under international law.
Faslane 365 and Beyond
Hundreds
rally as year of Faslane protest ends
Ian Herbert, Independent, October 2, 2007
[W]ith plans afoot for an expansion of Faslane to incorporate two new
aircraft carriers costing £3.8bn, despite the opposition of the Scottish
First Minister, Alex Salmond, protesters have vowed to keep up pressure...
Mr Salmond issued a statement saying he shared Faslane 365's "objective
of removing nuclear weapons from Scotland's soil".
Faslane
365 days on: 1,110 arrests and £5m bill for policing protest
Craig Brown, The Scotsman, October 2, 2007
An estimated 500 campaigners converged at dawn on the gates of HM
Naval Base Clyde, overlooking the Gare Loch, and tried to blockade the
gates. Dozens of police were drafted in to tackle the protesters, many
of whom glued themselves to the road or chained themselves to the gates,
while others linked themselves together with concrete tubes.
Why
we must never acquiesce silently to evil
Ruth Wishart, The Herald, October 3, 2007
Many of the people involved in the Trident demos were acutely aware
their activities would engender a high level of irritation. Their perspective
was that, in the greater, global scheme of things, ensuring the debate
over Trident remained vocal and visible was a higher priority. And such
was the variety of the 365-day presence - from church services and choirs
to international academics, pensioners and visits from hundreds of like-minded
people from all over the world determined to add their voice, however
briefly - that a sizeable amount of publicity was generated.
Arrests
on last day of Faslane nuclear protest
Felix Lowe and agencies, Telegraph.co.uk, October 2, 2007
Dozens of protesters have already been arrested at the Faslane Naval Base
in Scotland on the last day of a year-long anti-nuclear blockade. Up to
1,000 demonstrators, including politicians, are expected at the Naval
Base on the Clyde, home to the fleet of Trident nuclear submarines for
the culmination of the campaign, dubbed Faslane 365.
170
held at last Faslane demo
Severin Carrell, Scotland correspondent, The Guardian, October 2, 2007
The main gates to Faslane submarine base on the Clyde, which is home
to the Trident nuclear missile fleet, were sealed off just after dawn
yesterday after several hundred peace campaigners staged sit down protests
in the roadway.
Was the
365-day protest at Faslane a waste of time?
NO: Rebecca Johnson, a member of the Faslane 365 steering group, The
Scotsman, October 2, 2007
THERE were two primary purposes we had in mind when we started this. One
was to raise public awareness - not only of the immorality but the illegality
of the deployment and replacement of nuclear weapons. We wanted people
to put pressure on their elected representatives...
Arrests
as Faslane protest ends
BBC News online, October 1, 2007
Police have arrested 171 people at a protest marking the end of a year
of blockades against nuclear submarines at the Faslane naval base on the
Clyde.
Faslane:
paying the price of protest
James Morgan, The Herald, October 2, 2007
THEY chanted: "We are keeping the peace." A group of 600 brightly
costumed protesters gathered yesterday at Faslane naval base to celebrate
the finale of Faslane 365 - one of the largest anti-nuclear protests Scotland
has ever seen.
Hundreds
descend on faslane for the big blockade
Louise Edge, Indymedia, October 1, 2007
600 Shut Down Faslane Nuclear Weapons Base to Mark Year of Protest. Alex
Salmond sends protestors message of support.
Reasons
for breaking the law at Faslane
Letters, The Herald, October 3, 2007
Sitting in a police cell on a concrete slab (albeit topped by a plastic-covered
"mattress"), as I was on October 1, at least allows some pause for thought.
The WPC who had arrested me at Faslane is a community police officer in
Govanhill, and I told her that some of us have real questions about taking
valuable police resources away from areas where they are much needed.
We also have concerns about the massive amount of money spent: £6m to
police the year-long Faslane 365 campaign.
Almost
200 arrests at Faslane naval base
Scotland Today, stv.com, October 1, 2007
Almost 200 people have been arrested during a mass rally at the Faslane
Naval base to mark the end of a year long anti-nuclear campaign.
Protesters'
latest 'Mischief' - swimming into N-sub base
Craig Brown, The Scotsmand, October 5, 2007
THEY are a little-known anti- nuclear protest group from Scandinavia whose
name translates as "mischief". And yesterday one of their number sparked
a large-scale military incident when he tried to swim into Coulport naval
base, where part of the UK's nuclear arsenal is stored.
Focus
of anger for 25 years
Martin Williams, The Herald, October 2, 2007
High-profile arrests have included, in February 2001, MP George Galloway
and later that year, then SSP leader Tommy Sheridan who was arrested and
served seven days in jail for his part in a Big Blockade demo.
Give
up the bomb and we will have no voice
Letters, The Herald, October 13, 2007
Like Margaret Thatcher, I believe that mutually-assured destruction (MAD)
works and I have no fear of attack from the larger nuclear powers. My
concern is the rogue state that may build such a bomb. The defence is
the pressure from the existing nuclear powers, and we have seen in Iran
and N Korea that it works. We are a small power, and if we give up we
will have no say whatsoever in what is done. I feel we should retain what
little say we have. Protesting at Faslane is not going to eliminate bombs
elsewhere.
Blockade
highlighted obscenity of Trident
Letters, The Herald, October 2, 2007
The blockade once again highlighted the obscenity and absurdity of nuclear
weapons. Labour politicians will argue, "of course we are all against
nuclear weapons but the issue is complex". No, it's not. It's very simple.
You are either for or against nuclear weapons and if you are against them
you should campaign for their abolition, and in Scotland that means campaigning
against the renewal of Trident. Nuclear weapons are not and never were
a deterrent to anything; rather a reflection of Britain's Great Power
status in the world. They are obscenely expensive and in Scotland have
little support.
Bus
protestors arrested
The Herald, October 15, 2007
Four peace protesters have been arrested after they blocked the gates
of a coach company which transports workers to a nuclear submarine base.
Ten buses were delayed by anti-nuclear activists who chained themselves
to the entrance of Marbill Coaches in Beith, Ayrshire today.
Cops’
£5.5m Faslane bill plea rejected
Chris Musson, Evening Times, Glasgow, October 12, 2007
A PLEA from Strathclyde Police for help with its £5.5million bill
for the Faslane 365 demo has been rejected by the Scottish Government.
Liberal Democrat leadership candidates on Defence
Huhne:
I would scrap Trident
Ned Temko, The Observer, October 28, 2007
Lib Dem contender announces radical policy shift.
Liberal Democrat leadership contender Chris Huhne last night moved to
seize the initiative from his front-running rival Nick Clegg by breaking
with party policy on keeping Britain's Trident nuclear missiles.
Lib
Dem candidates go head-to-head in leadership campaign
Marie Woolf and Paul Bignell, Independent, October 30, 2007
In an interview with The Independent on Sunday before addressing party
members at the first leadership hustings in Rugby, Warwickshire, Mr Clegg
said yesterday that Britain needed to establish "red lines" with Washington
over defence. He argued that the Prime Minister's decision to allow the
United States to use two UK bases as part of the controversial anti-ballistic
missile programme was "selling the country short".
A double
blow for Huhne in race to lead Lib Dems
Gerri Peev, The Scotsman, October 27, 2007
Despite Mr Clegg being the preferred candidate at Westminster, Mr Huhne
received one major vote of support from an establishment figure yesterday.
Lord Steel, the former Liberal leader, declared his support for Mr Huhne
on the basis of his stance on the Trident nuclear deterrent.
Safety 'shortfalls' at AWE Burghfield
Nuclear
fears over 'defects' at warhead plant
Ian Bruce, The Herald, September 21, 2007
Britain's strategic nuclear warhead plant at Burghfield in Berkshire,
has suffered up to 1000 "safety defects" in the last five years, according
to figures obtained via the Freedom Information Act. The site, which builds
the bombs carried on the Trident missile submarines based on the Clyde,
has only remained open because the government and the Ministry of Defence
insisted it was vital to national security.
AWE
safety shortfalls revealed
Eleanor Stride, Basingstoke Gazette, October 12, 2007
HUNDREDS of safety defects at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Burghfield
have been revealed after confidential Government documents were made public.
The reports, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show that
the Government's nuclear watchdog, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate,
found 1,000 safety "shortfalls" at the site during an inspection which
took place five years ago.
Safety
flaws at nuclear site
Robert Rowlands, Newbury News, October 4, 2007
A CATALOGUE of safety failings at Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Burghfield
has been revealed after confidential Government reports were made public.
The reports, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show that
the Government's nuclear watchdog found 1,000 safety defects during inspections
of the site five years ago.
Other UK Trident Stories
US
nuclear error 'impossible in UK'
Ben Leach, Telegraph.co.uk, October 21, 2007
The MOD insists a mistake made by the US Air Force could not be repeated
in the UK because British warheads are moved by land in separate parts.
Britain's nuclear deterrent consists of Trident II D5, a submarine-launched
ballistic missile system. Component parts of the warheads are transported
to the Royal Naval Armament Depot in Coulport, Scotland, by road under
"appropriate levels of protection".
Armed
Forces: MoD wins extra £400m for the fight on two fronts
Colin Brown, Independent, October 10, 2007
The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt won an extra
£400m for fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan and the insurgents in Iraq,
but there were dire warnings that defence spending is still overstretched…
The budget will also meet the cost of the replacement for Britain's Trident
nuclear deterrent comprising four submarines, one of which is permanently
at sea all year round.
Birth
of Son of Trident at Yard
North West Evening Mail, October 11, 2007
THE first physical step towards Barrow building a new generation of Trident
missile submarines will be taken at the shipyard tomorrow. Rear Admiral
Paul Thomas, chairman of the Nuclear Defence Committee, will formally
open the Future Submarines Integrated Project Office.
Prince
William takes to the water
The Press Association, October 19, 2007
Prince William has taken part in early-morning manoeuvres on the River
Clyde as he visited the home of Britain's nuclear deterrent. The Prince
took to the water with Royal Marines based at Faslane, home to the fleet
of Trident submarines.
US Nuclear Weapons
Now
what would a huge US bomb be aimed at?
Gerard Baker, Times Online, October 26, 2007
Nestled deep in George Bush’s latest $190 billion request to Congress
for emergency funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is a tantalising
little item that has received scant attention. The US Department of Defence
has asked for an additional $88 million to modify B2 stealth bombers so
that they can carry a 30,000lb bomb called the massive ordnance penetrator
(or MOP, in the disarming acronymic vernacular of the military).
We're
getting a little less nuclear
Seattle Post Intelligencer, October 12, 2007
The Associated Press reported today that the USS Ohio is due to begin
its first deployment on Saturday from its Western Washington base at Bangor
-- but this time not armed with nuclear weapons. It's not as if this terrifying
tool of war has suddenly sprouted peace signs, though. A billion-dollar
refit later, it's been stripped of the 24-multi-warhead nuclear missiles
it originally carried as a Trident submarine. Now it's armed with 154
Tomahawk missiles -- you know, the kind we launch against places like
Iraq.
Nuclear
Warhead Design Hits Snag
Walter Pincus, Washington Post, September 30, 2007
An independent scientific advisory group, tasked by the federal government
at the direction of Congress to review the administration's plan for a
new generation of nuclear warheads, has questioned whether it can go ahead
without further laboratory work. The study, performed by the "Jasons,"
a group of scientists who regularly advise the government on nuclear defense
matters, concluded that the first design of a Reliable Replacement Warhead
(RRW1) "needs further development" before it can be certified as reliable
enough to go into the U.S. weapons stockpile without underground nuclear
testing.
Missile Defence and relations with Russia
Britain
in talks with US on missile defences
Gary Cleland, Telegraph.co.uk, October 8, 2007
The Government is in talks with the United States that could lead to the
controversial "son of Star Wars" interceptor missiles being based in Britain.
Sir Nigel Sheinwald, the new ambassador to Washington, has been put in
charge of the negotiations. A senior diplomatic source claimed that the
UK was seeking a major role and that plans to base a radar tracking station
and interceptor missiles on British soil had not been ruled out...
A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed yesterday that missile defence would
be one of Sir Nigel's top priorities when he took up his post. She added:
"Britain is giving its full support to US plans to site its missile defence
system in Europe. Britain has regular discussions over our possible role
but talks are at an early stage."
US
wants son of Star Wars base in Britain
Jason Lewis and William Lowther, Daily Mail, October 6, 2007
The Government is in secret talks to allow President George Bush's controversial
"son-of-Star Wars" missile-defence shield to be based in Britain. But
it would not protect the UK and could make the country a prime target
for a "first strike" nuclear attack.
Spy
base attack from MP
York Press, October 16, 2007
A North Yorkshire MP has attacked the Government for allowing US ballistic
missile defence equipment to be housed at the county's RAF Menwith Hill
base. Phil Willis has co-sponsored a motion in the House of Commons, calling
for a full and open debate on the issue.
Putin
says Russia to get new nuclear weapons
Times Online, October 18, 2007
Vladimir Putin boasted of developing new nuclear weapons to strengthen
Russia’s military power today and warned the United States not to ignore
Moscow's objections to a planned missile defence shield in Europe.
Putin:
US risks new Cuban missile crisis
Ian Traynor, The Guardian, October 27, 2007
Vladimir Putin stirred ghosts of the cold war yesterday by comparing the
Pentagon's plan to site elements of its missile shield in Europe to the
Cuban missile crisis of 1962 when the US and the Soviet Union went to
the brink of nuclear war.
US
missile plans echo Cuban crisis, says Putin
David Charter, The Times, October 27, 2007
Vladimir Putin likened America’s plans for a missile defence system in
Europe to the Cuban missile crisis today as he insisted that he would
relinquish power in the next Russian presidential elections.
Analysis:
Vladimir Putin raises the stakes over missile defence
The Times, October 12, 2007
Vladimir Putin has raised the stakes today in his poker game with George
W. Bush over missile defence in eastern Europe. By threatening to tear
up a key nuclear agreement, Mr Putin has challenged Mr Bush to weigh his
planned missile shield against the value of relations with Russia.
Missile
test success may help U.S. pitch European site
Andrea Shalal-Esa (in the Washington Post), Reuters, October 2,
2007
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A successful U.S. missile defense test last Friday
should quieten doubts about the system's viability and bolster support
for U.S. plans to deploy interceptor missiles and a powerful tracking
radar in Europe, a top Pentagon official said on Tuesday. "I think it
helps in a very real way," Missile Defense Agency Director Lt. Gen. Henry
Obering told reporters. He said European and NATO allies often questioned
him about the unproven nature of U.S. missile defenses.
'Star
Wars' protest at spy base
BBC News Online, October 14, 2007
About 100 protesters gathered at a US spy base in Yorkshire as part of
an international campaign against the American Missile Defence System.
The Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases said it objected
to the base's links to the so-called "Star Wars" programme. Protesters
said it was a "dangerous" system which put Menwith Hill at the "front
line of any war in space".
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