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UK, US Leaders Discuss Missile Defense Plans
US President George W. Bush on Monday called British Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss America 's controversial plans for a missile defense system, British officials said.
A Downing Street press officer told Xinhua that the conversation took place on Monday afternoon and lasted 10 minutes.
He said Bush called Blair before the U.S. president was to make a speech on the defense issue. But he declined to give any further details.
Reports from U.S. said last week that Bush would consult Washington's allies on plans for a missile shield, which is widely criticized by both U.S. allies and countries like Russia and China. The plans are expected to trigger a new arms race.
Bush is expected to make a key speech on the plan on Tuesday.
It was predicted that Bush would use the speech to link deployment of a defense shield for the United States and its allies with reductions in the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
The new missile plan, nick-named "new Star War," would need Britain's permission for upgrading U.S. radar facilities in northern England.
Blair has declined to say whether he would approve such a request, saying he has not yet been formally asked to do so.
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