This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8260230.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 20 Version 21
US 'shelves Europe missile plan' US 'shelves Europe missile plan'
(42 minutes later)
The US is to abandon its controversial plan to build a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic, the Czech prime minister has announced.The US is to abandon its controversial plan to build a missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic, the Czech prime minister has announced.
Reports from the US said it would be dropped as Iran's long-range missile plans had advanced less than predicted.Reports from the US said it would be dropped as Iran's long-range missile plans had advanced less than predicted.
The US decision marks a major foreign policy shift which could impact on its dealings with Europe, Russia and Iran.The US decision marks a major foreign policy shift which could impact on its dealings with Europe, Russia and Iran.
The Pentagon has now confirmed there will be a major change, with more details expected later on Thursday.The Pentagon has now confirmed there will be a major change, with more details expected later on Thursday.
Russia, which saw the missile plan as a threat, welcomed the move.Russia, which saw the missile plan as a threat, welcomed the move.
The US signed a deal in August 2008 with Poland to site 10 interceptors at a base near the Baltic Sea, and with the Czech Republic to build a radar station on its territory.The US signed a deal in August 2008 with Poland to site 10 interceptors at a base near the Baltic Sea, and with the Czech Republic to build a radar station on its territory.
President Obama earlier this year ordered a review of the defence system, which was strongly backed by his predecessor George W Bush. President Barack Obama earlier this year ordered a review of the defence system, which was strongly backed by his predecessor George W Bush.
European protectionEuropean protection
On Thursday, Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer said Mr Obama had notified him of the change of plan.On Thursday, Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer said Mr Obama had notified him of the change of plan.
ANALYSIS BBC World Affairs correspondent Paul ReynoldsANALYSIS BBC World Affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds
The decision would be a huge shift in American foreign and defence policy by the Obama administration. It is a major signal that the US is adopting a far more cautious foreign policy under President Obama.The decision would be a huge shift in American foreign and defence policy by the Obama administration. It is a major signal that the US is adopting a far more cautious foreign policy under President Obama.
The Russians will be pleased by the news and therefore relations will be eased. But they might also feel triumphant and conclude that their tough approach is one that brings respect and results.The Russians will be pleased by the news and therefore relations will be eased. But they might also feel triumphant and conclude that their tough approach is one that brings respect and results.
The move might also indicate that the Obama team will be looking sceptically at claims Iran is developing an actual nuclear weapon. There will also be debates about the long-term US commitment to Europe. Meanwhile, on the military side, this decision would herald a shift of emphasis in the whole US anti-missile defence strategy. US missile rethink a huge shiftThe move might also indicate that the Obama team will be looking sceptically at claims Iran is developing an actual nuclear weapon. There will also be debates about the long-term US commitment to Europe. Meanwhile, on the military side, this decision would herald a shift of emphasis in the whole US anti-missile defence strategy. US missile rethink a huge shift
He told the BBC that Mr Obama phoned him late last night to inform him that he had "reconsidered" the missile plan.He told the BBC that Mr Obama phoned him late last night to inform him that he had "reconsidered" the missile plan.
The missile shield was expected to be fully operational by 2012. The US had said the missile shield would be fully operational by 2012 to protect European allies and US forces in Europe from Iran or other countries.
Washington said the European sites were needed to protect European allies and US forces in Europe from Iran or another country. However, the Wall Street Journal, quoting unnamed sources, said the White House was now to order "a shift towards the development of regional missile defences for the continent".
However, the Wall Street Journal reported: "The US will base its decision on a determination that Iran's long-range missile program has not progressed as rapidly as previously estimated, reducing the threat to the continental US and major European capitals, according to current and former US officials." Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell confirmed that there would be a "major adjustment".
The newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, said the White House would order "a shift towards the development of regional missile defences for the Continent" to combat the threat from Iran's short- and medium-range missiles. He said new intelligence had shown that Iran was "much more focused on developing short- and medium-range capabilities".
Mr Fischer said a US delegation would make an announcement later on Thursday. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates was also due to give a press conference. The move has already drawn criticism in US conservative circles.
John Bolton, who was undersecretary of state for arms control and international security under President Bush, said the move was "unambiguously a bad decision".
He said: "This gives away an important defensive mechanism against threats from countries like Iran and other rogue states, not only for the US but for Europe as well.
"It is a concession to the Russians with absolutely nothing in return."
Iran says its missile development programme is solely for scientific, surveillance or defensive purposes, but there are concerns in the West and among Iran's neighbours that the rockets could be used to carry nuclear weapons.Iran says its missile development programme is solely for scientific, surveillance or defensive purposes, but there are concerns in the West and among Iran's neighbours that the rockets could be used to carry nuclear weapons.
As part of long-running efforts to tackle the issue, Iran will hold talks on its nuclear programme on 1 October with the UK, China, France, Russia and the US - the five permanent UN Security Council members - and Germany.As part of long-running efforts to tackle the issue, Iran will hold talks on its nuclear programme on 1 October with the UK, China, France, Russia and the US - the five permanent UN Security Council members - and Germany.
'Rogue' states'Rogue' states
The Wall Street Journal said the Obama administration "was expected to leave open the option of restarting the Polish and Czech system if Iran makes advances in its long-range missiles in the future".The Wall Street Journal said the Obama administration "was expected to leave open the option of restarting the Polish and Czech system if Iran makes advances in its long-range missiles in the future".
Russia saw the US missile plan as a direct threat to itself, despite US assurances that it was aimed at "rogue" states, such as Iran.Russia saw the US missile plan as a direct threat to itself, despite US assurances that it was aimed at "rogue" states, such as Iran.
Russia's ambassador to Nato, Dmitry Rogozin, said the move was "a breakthrough" for US-Russian relations, although they were waiting for official confirmation from the US.Russia's ambassador to Nato, Dmitry Rogozin, said the move was "a breakthrough" for US-Russian relations, although they were waiting for official confirmation from the US.
"It's like having a decomposing corpse in your flat - and then the mortician comes and takes it away."It's like having a decomposing corpse in your flat - and then the mortician comes and takes it away.
"This means we're getting rid of one of those niggling problems which prevented us from doing the real work," he said."This means we're getting rid of one of those niggling problems which prevented us from doing the real work," he said.
In November, Russia moved its own ballistic missiles to Kaliningrad, between Nato member states Lithuania and Poland to "neutralise - if necessary - the [US] anti-missile system", President Dmitry Medvedev said at the time.In November, Russia moved its own ballistic missiles to Kaliningrad, between Nato member states Lithuania and Poland to "neutralise - if necessary - the [US] anti-missile system", President Dmitry Medvedev said at the time.
Mr Medvedev also said Russia would jam the US anti-missile system electronically.Mr Medvedev also said Russia would jam the US anti-missile system electronically.
The two countries are currently in talks about reducing their nuclear weapons stockpiles, and the US move could influence Russia to be more co-operative, our correspondent says.The two countries are currently in talks about reducing their nuclear weapons stockpiles, and the US move could influence Russia to be more co-operative, our correspondent says.
Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the US move "is a positive step", Associated Press reported. Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the US move was "a positive step", Associated Press reported.
What is your reaction to this announcement? How will it affect Russia's relationship with the US and Europe? Send us your views using the form below.What is your reaction to this announcement? How will it affect Russia's relationship with the US and Europe? Send us your views using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions