NATO head: Missile defense to cost under 200 million euros - Summary

Brussels - It would cost NATO members less than 200 million euros (262 million dollars) over 10 years to set up an anti-missile screen capable of covering their entire territory, the alliance's secretary general said Wednesday.

NATO states are currently debating whether the alliance should take on, as part of its mission, defense against missile strikes from so-called "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea.

"I know that many people hear the words 'missile defense' and see a big bill. But in fact, the cost is very manageable," Anders Fogh Rasmussen told journalists at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

NATO nations are currently developing an anti-missile system designed to protect soldiers on the battlefield.

"The cost of expanding that system to cover not only our soldiers, but also our populations - normal citizens in our cities ... is less than 200 million euros, over 10 years, spread among the 28 NATO countries," Rasmussen said.

NATO's largest member, the United States, is already moving to site anti-missile systems in Central and Eastern Europe as part of its own defensive screen, arguing that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons to strike at US targets.

"We have a sufficient amount of information and intelligence to know that we are faced with a real threat, taking into consideration the Iranian aspirations as regards missile technology and nuclear programs," Rasmussen said.

Iran has always maintained that its controversial nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes.

NATO leaders are expected to decide at a summit in Lisbon on November 19-20 whether the alliance as a whole should set up its own missile screen. The question is contentious, as some states argue that it would cost too much, others say that it would increase US dominance in Europe and others warn that it would anger Russia.

"My question is this: for that price ... how could we not agree to build defense for all our citizens against missile attacks?" Rasmussen asked.

The "marginal" cost would give "full coverage geographically, as well as protection against the threats we can envisage today," he said.

The Dane, who took up his post in August and has made improving relations with Russia one of his top priorities, has already invited NATO's one-time Cold War foe to join the future missile shield.

"We would very much like to explore the possibilities to cooperate, to link the systems," he said, adding that NATO and Russian diplomats would debate the idea "in the coming months."

Rasmussen stressed that he would not try and predict the decision of the November NATO summit.

But he said that he believed there was an "emerging consensus that we are faced with a real threat," and that the revelation of the low cost of the project had had a "real impact" on the debate.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/322154,nato-headmissile-defence-to-cost-under-200-million-euros--summary.html.