U.S. Missile Defense Plan Gets a Pitch
BRUSSELS — Senior U.S. diplomats launched a global charm offensive Tuesday to drum up support for President Bush’s controversial missile defense plans.
At North Atlantic Treaty Organization headquarters, the first stop on the European leg of a diplomatic drive that is also scheduled to include Asia, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman said NATO allies welcomed the consultations and recognized new threats from the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
Washington’s European allies have been lukewarm rather than enthusiastic about the proposed antimissile system, which would detect and destroy long-range enemy missiles soon after launch.
High-level U.S. delegations are touring the world to seek support for Bush’s vision.
Asked if the United States was sizing up allies’ readiness to help with the costs of developing the missile defense system, Grossman said: “We’re not there yet.â€
Grossman said Deputy National Security Advisor Steve Hadley and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz will travel to Moscow on Friday for talks on missile defense strategy.
Members of Grossman’s delegation are also due to visit France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Italy and Turkey.
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