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US, UK 'in missile defence talks' UK-US in talks on missile defence
(about 2 hours later)
The UK and US governments have been holding discussions on the possibility of positioning a US anti-ballistic missile defence system on UK soil. The UK and US have held high level talks on the possibility of putting a "Son of Star Wars" anti-ballistic missile defence system on British soil.
An article in The Economist claims UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has lobbied the US president for the system. An article in The Economist claims Prime Minister Tony Blair has lobbied President George Bush for the system.
But government sources have told the BBC that talks are "to keep Britain's options open", not a lobbying effort.But government sources have told the BBC that talks are "to keep Britain's options open", not a lobbying effort.
Russia said the system, which tracks and destroys missiles launched against the US, will trigger an arms race. Russia has said the system, which tracks and destroys missiles launched at the US, will trigger an arms race.
Such a system uses radar and satellites to detect enemy missile launches and to guide interceptors to their targets. Poland and the Czech Republic have both been approached by America about locating part of the hugely expensive system on their soil.
Poland has recently confirmed that the US wants to negotiate the use of its territory to build part of its missile defence base. Secret talks
class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/5101886.stm">How missile defence works BBC Defence Correspondent Paul Wood said he had confirmed "secret high-level negotiations" had been taking place.
The US has also asked permission from the Czech Republic and received the backing of Czech PM Mirek Topolanek. Talks were continuing between the National Security Council and Britain's top foreign affairs adviser Sir Nigel Sheinwald, he said.
But Downing Street has said talks are at a very early stage, and were intended only to keep Britain in consideration as plans were developed.
We have had no details at all from the government despite asking a lot of questions in Parliament. Liam FoxShadow Defence Secretary Q&A: Son of Star Wars
David Rennie, from the Economist, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme his understanding was that Mr Blair had "personally led" efforts for silos to be based in the UK, believing it would make Britain safer.
The system uses radar and satellites to detect enemy missile launches and to guide interceptors to their targets.
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said the Conservatives would not oppose locating part of the system in the UK, but wanted to examine it in detail.
'Get honest'
"We have had no details at all from the government despite asking a lot of questions in Parliament.
"If the government really do want to maintain what they regard as a bipartisan approach to defence in this country, they better start getting honest with the opposition," said Mr Fox.
Poland has recently confirmed the US wants to use its territory to build part of its missile defence base.
Even if it did work, it would be tackling the wrong problem at the wrong time Paul IngramBritish American Security Information Council
The US has also asked permission from the Czech Republic and received the backing of Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek.
In 2002, the US withdrew from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty it signed with the Soviet Union.In 2002, the US withdrew from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty it signed with the Soviet Union.
It says a missile defence system could significantly reduce threats from so-called "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea.It says a missile defence system could significantly reduce threats from so-called "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea.
The shadow defence secretary Dr Liam Fox, speaking on the BBC Today programme, called for the government to be 'honest' and lay out the risks and benefits that such a missile system would pose to the UK. But Paul Ingram, of the British American Security Information Council, said the success of the system was "a long way from being proven".
"Even if it did work, it would be tackling the wrong problem at the wrong time," he told the BBC.
"The proliferation of ballistic missile technology is not as racing away as we are being led to believe. It has no relevance at all when it comes to issues like the war on terror."