Britain Warns over US Missile Defence System

British parliamentarians warned Wednesday that a new US missile defence system, which relies on a base in Britain, could trigger a new arms race.

"We are highly sceptical of it. We think it would be most destabilising in terms of the strategic arms agreements," said Donald Anderson, head of parliament's influential Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

He said it could "effectively upset the whole framework of arms control".

Britain is in a sensitive position because a phase of the US plan requires upgrading a strategic radar base at Fylingdales in the northern English county of Yorkshire.

"Because Fylingdales is needed, we should indicate to the United States at an early stage that our co-operation cannot be taken for granted," Anderson told BBC radio after publication of his committee's report warning against the plan.

The government says it has had no direct request from the United States and so does not have to make a decision now.

Anderson said of the report's recommendation: "We do this very well aware of the serious effect it would have on our bilateral relations.

"It could of course lead to a major clash. We well understand why the government is seeking to avoid that."

With parliamentary pressure building, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon maintained a wait-and-see attitude though he did say of the cross-party report: "They make a very powerful case."

But he insisted: "Unless and until we receive a specific request from the United States, there is little purpose in taking a decision that is premature."

The United States says NMD would offer some defence against rogue states with nuclear capability. But the plan is fiercely opposed by Russia and China.

There have been calls in the US Congress and from some national security specialists for President Bill Clinton to delay making a decision on deploying the controversial $60 billion system until it has been more thoroughly tested.

Republican US presidential contender George W. Bush backs a bigger, more extensive missile shield, which has been likened to President Ronald Reagan's "Star Wars" plan of the 1980s.

Vice President Al Gore has said he favours a more moderate system. But the Democrat also says that if he is elected president, he will consider scrapping the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty if this is needed to pursue the plan.

Critics say NMD technology is flawed and will not be ready by its 2005 target date. Two of three US attempts to shoot down missiles over the Pacific since last October have failed.

Last week, US Defence Secretary William Cohen said Clinton would decide by early September whether to keep the controversial missile shield programme on a fast track for 2005 but would leave it for his successor to decide whether and when to begin initial deployment.

Anderson warned of a potentially lethal knock-on effect.

"It will certainly be highly damaging diplomatically. Russia has made its own concerns clear. Behind Russia is China.

"The committee was in China in June and heard first-hand from their top experts that they would feel the need to respond appropriately and increase their own weaponry if the United States would seek to erect this shield."

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