3/18/09 State Dept: Missile Defense

SOURCE: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2009/03/120510.htm

Robert Wood

Acting Department Spokesman

Daily Press BriefingAlbouari, Charlie

March 18, 2009

CZECH REPUBLIC

US Will Consult with Czech Allies on Future of Missile Defense Agreement / Missile Defense Systems in Europe to Counter Future Threats / US Is Reviewing Missile Defense Policy

QUESTION: Yes. Yesterday, Czech Government announced the decision to postpone the ratification of the treaty about the deployment of the ABM system in the Czech Republic with the U.S. Do you have any comments about that?

MR. WOOD: The only thing I would briefly say is that we’re consulting with our Czech allies about the future of this agreement. But I just want to draw you back to the reasoning behind our desire to move forward on, you know, employing missile defense, you know, considering putting a missile defense system in Europe. And that, again, was to deal with future threats that we – you know, we certainly can see emanating from the Middle East region, specifically from Iran. So we will continue to have discussions with the Czech Government on this and – you know, as we go forward.

QUESTION: Do you feel that it’s an indication of their reluctance to locate the ABM or not?

MR. WOOD: No, that’s an internal matter for the Czech Government as to whether, you know, it was going to put this treaty forward in parliament. And as I said, we will have discussions with our allies, our Czech allies, and go forward from there. But I don’t have anything further to add.

QUESTION: About missile defense.

MR. WOOD: Sure.

QUESTION: From Polish public television – I assume that after signing treaties with Poland, the Czech Republic – there was a certain schedule of work. Is it in progress right now? What – at what state is it now?

MR. WOOD: Well, I – what I would do is refer you to those governments to give you an accurate assessment of how far work has come, how far work has gone forward. I can’t give you that from here.

QUESTION: But from the U.S. side, what is done so far? What was done so far?

MR. WOOD: Well, what I can tell you is that we have mentioned from – we have mentioned many times that we are going to consult with, you know, both the Czech Government and the Polish Government and our other allies. And as you also know, we – the Obama Administration is looking at the whole concept of missile defense, particularly with regard to this system that had been proposed for Europe, and we want to make sure that it is cost-effective, that it works, and, you know, once that review is completed, we’ll be able to say more about that.

But in terms of where things are on the ground, I’m not in a position to give you a good assessment at this point, but I would, you know, suggest that you talk to both the Czech and Polish governments.

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