Rumsfeld set to talk missile defense with Turkey
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Monday, June 4, 2001
WASHINGTON — The United States is prepared to resume missile defense
talks with Turkey and allies in the region.
U.S. officials said the talks will take place during the tour this week
of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Rumsfeld will arrive for talks in
Ankara on Monday and officials said he is prepared to offer Turkey a key
role in a U.S.-led missile defense system for Washington and its NATO
allies.
"I think what he'll [Rumsfeld] go over and talk to them about the kinds
of technologies which are
applicable to the problem," a senior U.S. defense official said on the eve
of Rumsfeld's trip to Ankara.
One proposal to be explored is the deployment of U.S. anti-missile
defense batteries in southeastern Turkey. The batteries — whether the U.S.
PAC-3 or the U.S.-Israeli Arrow — would be meant to destroy Iranian and
Iraqi ballistic missiles.
Another proposal is for the deployment in Turkey of a U.S. early-warning
system that would detect missiles fired toward NATO members or the United
States.
The senior Pentagon official said Rumsfeld will explain to the Turks a
range of missile defense systems. These will include airborne lasers and the
boost phase intercept.
Monday, June 4, 2001
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