UK, US Leaders Discuss Missile Defense PlansUS 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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