Posted on 05/04/2007 12:21:38 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration's plans for a missile defense system in Europe encountered resistance Thursday from congressional Democrats who cast doubt on the technical feasibility of the project and said it could bolster Russia's ties with Iran.
The hearing before two House Foreign Affairs subcommittees came a day after the House Armed Forces Strategic Forces subcommittee voted to delete $160 million (euro117.5 million) sought by the administration to fund the installation of 10 missile interceptors in Poland. The administration is requesting $310 million (euro227.7 million) for the overall project.
At Thursday's hearing, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said testing has shown that the system being proposed works. But Rep. Robert Wexler, a Democrat and chairman of the European subcommittee, voiced skepticism about the system because no tests have been conducted under combat conditions.
In addition to the interceptors for Poland, the administration is planning radar facilitates in the Czech Republic.
Rep. Brad Sherman, another Democrat, said Russia could retaliate against the plan by backing nuclear weapons development in Iran.
"We need Russian cooperation on Iran," Sherman said. "I can think of no better way to ensure that Russia will do very little to help stop the Iranian program than to stick it to them by putting our missiles in what used to be their allies," he said.
Fried reaffirmed the U.S. view that the system poses no threat to Russian security.
"Ten defensive missiles would be of no use against Russia's hundreds of missiles and thousands of nuclear warheads," Fried said. "The Russians know this."
But Sherman said that Russian fears that the system will grow "are not all that fanciful." He added that in private conversations, European officials have expressed deep reservations about the system.
The administration has insisted that the system is needed to protect both the United States and Europe against potential missile attacks by "rogue states" such as Iran and North Korea.
Sherman expressed incredulity that the administration has yet to ask European countries to make financial contributions to the system.
Wexler said he supported the significant funding cuts approved by the Strategic Forces subcommittee. The panel approved funding for a technical feasibility study of the system.
The U.S. proposal won support from Rep. Ed Royce, a Republican, who said it makes sense for the United States to develop a system that helps defend America and its allies against a potential Iranian missile attack.
Royce said the Russian stand on the issue reflects the country's anti-U.S. agenda.
"The controversy, stripped to its essence, is about Russian ambition to diminish U.S. clout and to expand its power eastward, not its national security," he said.
One of the most dangerous things about having the far left Democrats running congress is that they will try to gut our missile defense program which is doing brilliantly.
...needed defense funds, even.
My lord, what a bunch of obstructionists.
Good grief. Just when you think liberals couldn't be any more idiotic they find a way to dig a deeper hole of idiocy...and that black pit of idiocy seems to have no bottom for liberals.
Very interesting, thanks for the link.
Could Bolster Russias ties with Iran ? Who do you think has been supplying the Iranians with Nuclear technology since Reagan
What was it 3-4 weeks ago there was news that Russia had essentially put Iran on credit hold (non-payment) on a nuclear reactor. The Dems will have us all bent over with our drawers down before you know it.
Russia is no friend when you get right down to it. For the last 15 years or so they have been pissing from our tent instead of in it, but they are no friend.
I wrote in #2:
The Democrats oppose missile defense.One of the most dangerous things about having the far left Democrats running congress is that they will try to gut our missile defense program which is doing brilliantly.
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