Guerrilla22
19th February 2007, 09:11
BERLIN - Germany's foreign minister said the United States should have included Russia in discussions of a proposed missile defense project in Poland and the Czech Republic, according to comments released Sunday.
Because the proposed missile defense bases would be stationed "close to Russia, they should have been included in discussions earlier," Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in an interview for Monday's edition of the German daily Handelsblatt, which released his comments in advance.
Steinmeier encouraged Washington to include Russia in continuing discussions.
"Given the strategic nature of such a project, I would advocate proceeding carefully with intensive dialogue with all partners involved, whether directly or indirectly," Steinmeier said.
Russia has sharply criticized the project, which involves setting up about 10 missile interceptors in Poland and the Czech Republic, both NATO members, as part of a larger system to guard Europe and the eastern U.S. from missiles launched in the Middle East.
The United States has repeatedly said the program is not directed toward Russia but at protecting the U.S. and its allies from threats in the Middle East and elsewhere.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack repeated that stance Thursday, adding that the U.S. has "offered to cooperate with Russia on missile defense."
In the interview, Steinmeier also urged Western powers to stick to diplomacy in the standoff over Iran's nuclear program, citing the recent agreement with North Korea as an example.
"It could be that in the case of Iran the economic pressure must be increased, if nothing else works," Steinmeier said. "But I'm hoping for a different solution."
Germany, one of six countries that has been trying to push Iran to suspend uranium enrichment, has repeatedly said the door remains open for Iran to return to talks.
In December, the U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on Iran for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment — which can lead to production of nuclear weapons — and warned that it would adopt further nonmilitary sanctions if Tehran refuses to comply.
Iran says its nuclear program is meant for peaceful purposes, while the U.S. and some of its allies fear the Islamic country is trying to build an atomic bomb.
Last week, North Korea agreed to shut down its main nuclear reactor and allow U.N. inspectors back into the country within 60 days in return for energy and other support from the United States other nations involved in talks with Pyongyang.
Because the proposed missile defense bases would be stationed "close to Russia, they should have been included in discussions earlier," Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in an interview for Monday's edition of the German daily Handelsblatt, which released his comments in advance.
Steinmeier encouraged Washington to include Russia in continuing discussions.
"Given the strategic nature of such a project, I would advocate proceeding carefully with intensive dialogue with all partners involved, whether directly or indirectly," Steinmeier said.
Russia has sharply criticized the project, which involves setting up about 10 missile interceptors in Poland and the Czech Republic, both NATO members, as part of a larger system to guard Europe and the eastern U.S. from missiles launched in the Middle East.
The United States has repeatedly said the program is not directed toward Russia but at protecting the U.S. and its allies from threats in the Middle East and elsewhere.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack repeated that stance Thursday, adding that the U.S. has "offered to cooperate with Russia on missile defense."
In the interview, Steinmeier also urged Western powers to stick to diplomacy in the standoff over Iran's nuclear program, citing the recent agreement with North Korea as an example.
"It could be that in the case of Iran the economic pressure must be increased, if nothing else works," Steinmeier said. "But I'm hoping for a different solution."
Germany, one of six countries that has been trying to push Iran to suspend uranium enrichment, has repeatedly said the door remains open for Iran to return to talks.
In December, the U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on Iran for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment — which can lead to production of nuclear weapons — and warned that it would adopt further nonmilitary sanctions if Tehran refuses to comply.
Iran says its nuclear program is meant for peaceful purposes, while the U.S. and some of its allies fear the Islamic country is trying to build an atomic bomb.
Last week, North Korea agreed to shut down its main nuclear reactor and allow U.N. inspectors back into the country within 60 days in return for energy and other support from the United States other nations involved in talks with Pyongyang.