U.S. negates defense program fears<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The United States dismissed on Friday growing anxiety of an arms
\nrace over its missile defense program with Australia, saying that
\nthere was no evidence to support the allegation.<\/p>\n
U.S. State Department spokesman at large Philip Reeker said
\nhere on Friday that Washington had begun the program two years
\nago and it had not triggered any arms race among other major
\ncountries, such as Russia and China.<\/p>\n
Reeker pointed out that Washington had withdrawn from an anti-
\nballistic missile treaty with Russia in 2001, but it had not
\ncreated an arms race as people expected.<\/p>\n
\"Two years ago we formally withdrew from that and began to
\ndeploy our missile defense and there is no arms race. Our
\nrelations with Russia is as good as ever,\" Reeker said.<\/p>\n
\"With the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass
\ndestruction ... our leaders had a responsibility to take the
\nsteps necessary to ensure the defense of our country,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The U.S. launched late last year a new program dubbed the \"son
\nof Star Wars\", which has the capability to shoot down all
\nballistic missiles that pass through U.S. territory.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has been watching the plan closely, as Australia has
\nannounced its decision to join the program.<\/p>\n
The move has drawn strong criticism from its Asian neighbors,
\nwho fear that the program would encourage a regional arms race.<\/p>\n
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda has voiced the
\nsame concern, saying that the program may destabilize the region.<\/p>\n
The wariness has worsened as Australia, often seen as the
\ndeputy sheriff of the U.S. by its Asian neighbors, is considering
\nthe purchase of an anti-missile defense system from the U.S.<\/p>\n
Australia has tried to reassure its neighbors that this would
\nnot be a threat, as it was a defense program and not designed to
\nmake offensive strikes.<\/p>\n
Reeker further underlined that following the Sept. 11, 2001
\nterrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the U.S. felt that
\nmissile defense had to be pursued.<\/p>\n
\"I think that it does not lead to an arms race or instability;
\nwe deal with the current threats pragmatically and utilize modern
\ntechnology to make us more secure,\" he said.<\/p>",
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