DAR AL HARB - E.U. / U.S.A.: EUROPEAN UNITY & MISSILE DEFENSE

Council of Europe leader says U.S. anti-missile shield could damage European unity

STRASBOURG, France: A senior member of the Council of Europe on Monday joined the chorus of critics of a decision by two Central European countries to discuss hosting part of a planned U.S. anti-missile shield, warning of risks to European unity.

The Czech Republic has agreed to start negotiations on building a radar base southwest of Prague, while Poland is considering the proposal to station interceptor missiles there, as part of a U.S. defense system meant to protect against a potential threat from Iran or North Korea.

"The proposals to base part of the U.S. anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic risk creating new tensions," Dutch Senator Rene van der Linden said in a speech to the human rights watchdog's Parliamentary Assembly, which he chairs. "We need reconciliation, not confrontation — that is the historical lesson of the Cold War and the 50 years' success of the EU."

"Decisions that have consequences for all of Europe must not be allowed to undermine European unity; instead, we must maintain our solidarity by holding open discussions and taking joint decisions," he said.

Some European leaders have expressed concern that extending the U.S. system to Europe will alienate Russia, which strongly opposes the plan. But neither the Czechs nor the Poles show any signs of backing down.

On Saturday, Poland's prime minister reiterated his strong support for the U.S. proposal, saying it would strengthen ties with Washington and stressing that the decision whether to base the 10 interceptors in Poland was a bilateral issue.

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1) Council of Europe leader says U.S. anti-missile shield could damage European unity