German Defense minister Franz Josef Jung pleaded for the US anti-missile defense shield Poland and the Czech Republic agreed to place on their territory, This decision caused sharp criticism from Russia and subsequently made the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, to propose "debating" and maybe limiting the national sovereignty of member states in this regard. But Jung expressed the view that facing new threats form "rogue states" (without naming them), the EU should act preventively, thus justifying the setting up of this defense shield:
Mr Jung also alluded to Iran's announcement that it can develop uranium on an industrial scale. "Precisely these latest developments also confirm that such protection makes sense",Mr Jung said this week.
"Timely precautions must be taken against the foreseeable increase of the range of offensive missiles of certain problem states, even if it concerns long-term developments," he added.
Jung stressed the fact that the only way to "soothe" Russia's "worries" is to have a common voice within NATO and to back the argument that the shield is meant to PROTECT, not to ATTACK:
"I think it is good that in NATO, as with the NATO-Russia council, we are working together to assuage possible doubts".
Although Jung has voiced support for the US scheme, it is not a view that is universally backed within the German cabinet.
But he did insist it was important for the West "to work on a partnership basis with Russia" on the matter, he added.
Russia should be convinced of the argument so as "to reach an agreement for the protection of populations, for European populations in particular," he said.
Jung also told the European deputies that every possible diplomatic effort should be made "to prevent Iran from equipping itself with nuclear arms".
He added: "It is vital for world peace. The United States, Russia, Europe and China must work together."
President Putin had been very clear on one point, he continued. "It is also in Russia's interests that Iran does not possess atomic weapons."
On April 19, at NATO's Brussels headquarters, the 26 NATO allies — including 21 EU member states — will discuss the anti-missile system in the North Atlantic Council and then with Russia at a NATO-Russia meeting.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Other posts of interest
Apr 13th, 2007
Loading ...