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Europe cautious over Bush NMD plan

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Allies of the U.S. have reacted cautiously to President George W. Bush's plan to press ahead with a national missile defence system.

Many European countries fear the NMD system could set off a destabilising global arms race, especially because it would involve scrapping the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty.

While key U.S. allies did not endorse Bush's latest statements backing the NMD system and signalling the end of the treaty, made on Tuesday, they have welcomed his plans for consultations.

VIDEO

Watch Bush's speech at the National Defense University (May 1) Play video (Part 1) (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Play video (Part 2) (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

AUDIO

CNN's Matthew Chance: U.S. could provoke some serious Russian reaction

544K/50 sec.
AIFF or WAV sound

TRANSCRIPT

President Bush speech on missile defense

RESOURCES

Q&A: National Missile Defense

MESSAGE BOARD

Missile defense system

British Prime Minister Tony Blair shared U.S. concerns about "rogue" states, his spokesman said.

Bush's plan was also cautiously greeted by UK Foreign Minister Robin Cook, who said he welcomed his commitment to reduce nuclear weapons, and also his commitment to "early consultations at a senior level on missile defence."

His sentiments were echoed by NATO chief Lord George Robertson.

The process of consultation could begin as early as next week when Bush plans to send high-level delegations to several European capitals to discuss the NMD proposal.

Much of the concern in Europe is focused on Bush's declaration that the anti-ballistic missile treaty was outdated.

Bush said in Tuesday's speech that "no treaty that prevents us from addressing today's threats, that prohibits us from pursuing promising technology to defend ourselves, our friends and our allies is in our interests or in the interests of world peace."

The president also called for a reduction in the nation's nuclear stockpile, although he did not cite precise numbers.

Germany's foreign minister expressed concern over plans to scrap the anti-ballistic missile treaty.

"An effective, treaty-based arms control and disarmament regime must be preserved and expanded, including effective and verifiable prevention of proliferation" of nuclear weapons, said Joschka Fischer.

Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the 15-nation European Union, said: "We urge President Bush to abstain from the National Missile Defence, just as we urge China, India and Pakistan to discontinue their nuclear arsenals."

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the system would "inevitably impact global security and strategic stability."

He added there was a need to "consolidate and build upon existing disarmament and non-proliferation agreements."

Annan appealed to all countries to avoid a new arms race and start negotiating irreversible disarmament agreements.

Russia and China have not yet commented on Bush's announcement, but their reaction is expected to be negative, says Oksana Antonenko from the International Institute of Strategic Studies.

She said the international environment had changed since the treaty was signed during the Cold War in 1972.

Among those to support Bush's plan was Australia, which said it would allow the U.S. to use joint military bases in Australia for the planned missile shield.

"This would simply be the continuation of a ballistic missile early warning partnership we have shared with the U.S. over 30 years, a partnership which makes a significant contribution to global strategic stability," said a spokeswoman for Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.