1 August 2011
U.S. Approaches NATO Members on Hosting Radar
Global Security Newswire

The radar would alert NATO to incoming enemy missiles. The alliance could then counter the threat with sea- and land-based interceptors to be deployed around the continent under U.S. and NATO antimissile plans.

"We're talking to a number of countries within NATO about this radar system and when it might be deployed but I don't want to get into the substance of those discussions," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said to journalists, specifying that Turkey is under consideration to host the technology.

Toner repeated the Obama administration stance that the missile shield is not a threat to Russia's nuclear forces. Moscow has demanded a legally binding pledge that the antimissile system would not be used against Russian nuclear weapons.

"In terms of Russia's opposition to missile defense plans, we've sought -- long sought a cooperative relationship with Russia on missile defense," Toner said. "We continue to seek to cooperate with them on missile defense" (RIA Novosti, July 29).

Russian Ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin traveled to Turkey last week to explain the Kremlin's worries about the implications of the U.S.-promoted plan for European missile defense, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

"Having missile defense elements in someone's territory makes a country a target," Rogozin, the Kremlin's point man on European missile defense, said on Thursday prior to talks with Turkish officials. "That's why you have to think very well before you make the decision."

Rogozin was earlier in the United States for discussions on U.S. missile defense plans.

"We still had the same number of questions," the Russian diplomat said of the recent meetings, which included a stop at the U.S. Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Due to these remaining concerns, Russia is seeking the thoughts of Turkish officials, he said.

"Turkey will have a direct influence on the decision to deploy U.S. radar here, which then will become a part of the overall U.S. system. Since Turkey has access to Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea, it will have a direct influence on the decision to deploy the U.S. missile defense ships, cruises in these seas," Rogozin said.

Moscow is opposed to the "militarization of the Black Sea region," the envoy said. "We don't want players to play on this ground if they are not a part of this region" (Xinhua News Agency, July 29).