U.S. MAY RECONSIDER PLANS FOR MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM IN EUROPE IF IRAN STOPS NUCLEAR PROGRAM
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.02.2009 16:02 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the
Obama administration might reconsider plans for a missile defense
system in Europe, if Iran stopped what U.S. officials believe is a
drive for nuclear weapons. Clinton met with Czech Republic Foreign
Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, whose government – along with Poland –
has agreed to host the system.
The Obama administration has stopped short of fully embracing the
missile defense program that was avidly pursued by the Bush White
House, with the Obama team citing concerns about its technical
viability.
In her joint press appearance with her Czech Republic counterpart,
Secretary Clinton reiterated those concerns, while also suggesting the
program could be shelved if Iran halts its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Clinton expressed gratitude to both the Czech Republic and Poland
for working with the United States in what she framed as an effort to
dissuade and deter Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons and a related
long-range missile project.
She said the decisions on timing and deployment of the system are
"largely technical matters" and said Iranian behavior would be a key
factor in whether the program ultimately goes forward.
"If we’re able to see a change of behavior on the part of the Iranians
with respect to what we believe to be their pursuit of nuclear weapons,
then you know, we will reconsider where we stand. But we are a long,
long way from seeing such evidence of any behavior change," she said.
Clinton noted an assertion by Vice President Joe Biden in a policy
speech in Munich Saturday that the United States will continue efforts
on missile defense provided the technology is proven to work and it
is cost effective.
Mr. Biden also said the United States will continue consulting on
the matter with NATO and with Russia, which has opposed the program
as a threat to its strategic deterrence.
Under questioning Tuesday, Clinton reiterated the Obama
administration’s interest in dialogue with Iran, following an assertion
Tuesday by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that his government
welcomes talks with Washington based on "mutual respect."
The Secretary said there is an opportunity for Iran’s hard-line
government to "unclench its fist" and begin a serious and responsible
dialogue but also linked that prospect to the Iranian nuclear program.
"We still persist in our view that Iran should not obtain nuclear
weapons, that it would be a very unfortunate course for them to
pursue," Clinton said. "And we hope that there will be opportunities
in the future for us to develop a better understanding of one another,
and to work out a way of talking that would produce positive results
for the people of Iran."
President Obama said at his news conference late Monday he is looking
for opportunities to engage with Iran while acknowledging that years
of mistrust between the two countries will be hard to overcome,
Voice of America reports.