U.S. negates defense program fears

U.S. negates defense program fears

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The United States dismissed on Friday growing anxiety of an arms
race over its missile defense program with Australia, saying that
there was no evidence to support the allegation.

U.S. State Department spokesman at large Philip Reeker said
here on Friday that Washington had begun the program two years
ago and it had not triggered any arms race among other major
countries, such as Russia and China.

Reeker pointed out that Washington had withdrawn from an anti-
ballistic missile treaty with Russia in 2001, but it had not
created an arms race as people expected.

"Two years ago we formally withdrew from that and began to
deploy our missile defense and there is no arms race. Our
relations with Russia is as good as ever," Reeker said.

"With the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction ... our leaders had a responsibility to take the
steps necessary to ensure the defense of our country," he added.

The U.S. launched late last year a new program dubbed the "son
of Star Wars", which has the capability to shoot down all
ballistic missiles that pass through U.S. territory.

Indonesia has been watching the plan closely, as Australia has
announced its decision to join the program.

The move has drawn strong criticism from its Asian neighbors,
who fear that the program would encourage a regional arms race.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda has voiced the
same concern, saying that the program may destabilize the region.

The wariness has worsened as Australia, often seen as the
deputy sheriff of the U.S. by its Asian neighbors, is considering
the purchase of an anti-missile defense system from the U.S.

Australia has tried to reassure its neighbors that this would
not be a threat, as it was a defense program and not designed to
make offensive strikes.

Reeker further underlined that following the Sept. 11, 2001
terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the U.S. felt that
missile defense had to be pursued.

"I think that it does not lead to an arms race or instability;
we deal with the current threats pragmatically and utilize modern
technology to make us more secure," he said.