BUCHAREST, Romania—Romania and the U.S. reached an agreement on Thursday to install missile interceptors on Romanian soil.
This is a smaller version of the defense system originally proposed by the Bush administration, which included installing missile interceptors in Poland and a radar station in Czech Republic. The new plan does not include a fixed radar station.
Placing an anti-missile defense shield in Eastern Europe has been heavily criticized by Russia. Russian officials say the shield might cripple their national defense system and endanger the country’s stability, influence, and position in the region.
Romanian President Traian Basescu, told reporters at a press conference to announce the agreement that the defense system is not aimed against Russia. “I wish to stress that, categorically, Romania is not hosting any system that is aimed against Russia, but against other threats,” said President Basescu, in an effort to calm the Kremlin’s fears.
Basescu commented that he applauded the transparency displayed by the United States during the process of promoting the anti-rocket shield. He also said that since Romania has not previously been protected against possible ballistic rocket attacks, this decision would improve the country’s level of national security.
The anti-missile plan was negotiated in Bucharest between American undersecretary of state for gun control, Ellen Tauscher, and the Romanian president. It has already been accepted by the Romanian supreme defense council giving the go ahead for bilateral negotiations to complete the deal.
“I repeat, the Romanian Parliament will approve the agreements that will be negotiated during the next period of time,” said Basescu.
The missile interceptors will become operational in 2015, according to the calendar agreed upon by Romania and the U.S.
This is a smaller version of the defense system originally proposed by the Bush administration, which included installing missile interceptors in Poland and a radar station in Czech Republic. The new plan does not include a fixed radar station.
Placing an anti-missile defense shield in Eastern Europe has been heavily criticized by Russia. Russian officials say the shield might cripple their national defense system and endanger the country’s stability, influence, and position in the region.
Romanian President Traian Basescu, told reporters at a press conference to announce the agreement that the defense system is not aimed against Russia. “I wish to stress that, categorically, Romania is not hosting any system that is aimed against Russia, but against other threats,” said President Basescu, in an effort to calm the Kremlin’s fears.
Basescu commented that he applauded the transparency displayed by the United States during the process of promoting the anti-rocket shield. He also said that since Romania has not previously been protected against possible ballistic rocket attacks, this decision would improve the country’s level of national security.
The anti-missile plan was negotiated in Bucharest between American undersecretary of state for gun control, Ellen Tauscher, and the Romanian president. It has already been accepted by the Romanian supreme defense council giving the go ahead for bilateral negotiations to complete the deal.
“I repeat, the Romanian Parliament will approve the agreements that will be negotiated during the next period of time,” said Basescu.
The missile interceptors will become operational in 2015, according to the calendar agreed upon by Romania and the U.S.
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