Hostile response to missile defence plan

There has been a hostile response from Russia and China to United States plans for a missile defence system, with Beijing calling it a threat to world peace.

Senior Russian lawmaker Dimitry Rogozin said that going ahead with the plan "would destroy the entire security system we have today".

Missile Defence

A fixed, land-based, non-nuclear missile defence system including a space-based detection system

Upgraded early warning radar

Able to destroy ballistic missiles

No defence against sustained missile attack

Expected to include space and sea-based defence

Nato and European leaders, in contrast, welcomed President George W Bush's promise to consult them about the system and to consider reducing the size of the US nuclear arsenal.

Senior US defence officials are to visit European capitals next week as part of the consultation process.

But the foreign minister of Sweden, which holds the EU presidency, has warned that the defence shield could provoke a new arms race.

Mr Bush outlined his plans for the so-called "Son of Star Wars" missile defence shield on Tuesday, but offered few specific details.

Potential new arms race

Mr Bush described the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty, which bans such systems, as a relic of the past.

Lord Robertson's response was diplomatic

While Moscow reacted positively to his proposed cut in the US nuclear arsenal, Russian officials warned of a new arms race if Mr Bush carries out his intention to abandon the ABM treaty.

Mr Rogozin, the head of Russia's parliamentary foreign affairs committee, said that if the US scrapped the ABM treaty, Russia might renounce arms-control commitments such as the Start II accord.

It is not clear that Russia would be able to afford to increase its nuclear arsenal.

China has not responded formally to Mr Bush's speech but the state news agency, which reflects official opinion, said an anti-missile shield could provoke a new arms race.

China has also said that the inclusion of submarines in Mr Bush's proposed scheme would violate a Washington-Beijing treaty limiting offensive weapons.

BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Marcus says China may modernise its own relatively small nuclear arsenal if Mr Bush's plan goes ahead.

Countering 'rogue states'

In a speech strong on rhetoric but thin on detail, Mr Bush outlined his vision of a missile defence programme to counter the threat from rogue states equipped with weapons of mass destruction.

Even among US allies, many object to the system

Nato Secretary-General George Robertson welcomed Mr Bush's commitment to consult closely with allies on the anti-missile defence scheme.

"The president is right to focus on these new challenges, and I welcome his commitment to close consultation with the allies," he said.

But his statement expressed no opinion about the US missile defence plan.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he hoped the ABM treaty would not be scrapped.

"In promoting respect for the rule of law in international affairs, there is a need to consolidate and build upon existing disarmament and non-proliferation agreements," he said.

The European public is believed to be opposed to the scheme, but our European Affairs correspondent says European governments realise they have nothing to gain by openly obstructing the plan.