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UK-US in talks on missile defence UK-US in talks on missile defence
(about 1 hour later)
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. The UK and US have held high level talks on the possibility of putting a "Son of Star Wars" missile defence system on British soil.
An article in The Economist claims Prime Minister Tony Blair has lobbied President George Bush for the system. Downing Street stressed talks were at an early stage. The US is thought to favour a site in eastern Europe.
But government sources have told the BBC that talks are "to keep Britain's options open", not a lobbying effort. Russia has said the system, which will destroy missiles launched at the US, will trigger an arms race.
The US said it is still more likely to site a missile defence system in eastern Europe than in the UK. Anti-war groups said UK involvement was "ill-conceived", and other critics said it could make Britain a target.
Russia has said the system, which tracks and destroys missiles launched at the US, will trigger an arms race. Rebuff denied
Poland and the Czech Republic have both been approached by America about locating part of the hugely expensive system on their soil. A Downing Street spokeswoman confirmed that Prime Minister Tony Blair thought the discussions were a "good idea".
A spokesman at the American embassy in London said there may be opportunities to talk about other needs but it was looking at the Czech Republic or Poland as the primary sites. "We believe that it is an important step towards providing missile defence coverage for Europe," she said.
Secret talks But hours later, US deputy chief of mission in London, David Johnson, seemed to rebuff these claims.
BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said he had confirmed "secret high-level negotiations" had been taking place. He told the BBC: "As we go forward there may be opportunities for us to talk to other countries about their needs.
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.
How defence system works Q&A: Son of Star WarsHow defence system works 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. "But right now we are concentrating on the Czech Republic and on Poland as the primary sites where we would be looking for this."
Shortly afterwards, the American embassy released a statement on Mr Johnson's behalf, saying any suggestion of a rebuff was "nonsense".
"We have been and will be in discussions with the British government as we develop our missile defence system and be open to opportunities for joint work as we go forward."
BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said talks were continuing between the National Security Council and Britain's top foreign affairs adviser Sir Nigel Sheinwald.
The system uses radar and satellites to detect enemy missile launches and to guide interceptors to their targets.The system uses radar and satellites to detect enemy missile launches and to guide interceptors to their targets.
Honesty plea
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.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."We have had no details at all from the government despite asking a lot of questions in Parliament.
Even if it did work, it would be tackling the wrong problem at the wrong time Paul IngramBritish American Security Information Council Politics of missile defence
"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."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.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) condemned UK involvement and warned the system could enable the US to attack other countries without fear of retaliation.
CND chairman Kate Hudson said: "It puts them on the front line in a future war. The US must call a halt to this dangerous and provocative system, and Britain must not participate in it."
'Rogue states'
Poland has recently confirmed the US wants to use its territory to build part of its missile defence base.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.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.
HAVE YOUR SAY Missile defence systems like these are already obsolete and incapable of intercepting modern missiles Tom, Reading Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Missile defence systems like these are already obsolete and incapable of intercepting modern missiles Tom, Reading Send us your comments
But Paul Ingram, of the British American Security Information Council, said the success of the system was "a long way from being proven". But Paul Ingram, of the British American Security Information Council, also warned that the system would make Britain a potential target.
And he told the BBC 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."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." "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."
Meanwhile, US defence officials say work on one part of the missile defence programme based at RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire - an early warning radar system upgrade - is almost complete.Meanwhile, US defence officials say work on one part of the missile defence programme based at RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire - an early warning radar system upgrade - is almost complete.
The government faced opposition in 2003 when it agreed the work could go ahead.The government faced opposition in 2003 when it agreed the work could go ahead.