Hague backs Star Wars shield

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, JAN. 12. In his first official endorsement of the incoming Bush administration's policies, the Tory leader Mr. William Hague today supported the controversial U.S. ``sons of Star Wars'' project, the nuclear missile defence shield and asked Europe to fall in line with Washington's desires. He said the project was necessary in view of the threat from ``rogue'' nuclear States, and Europe should stand with the U.S. on common security issues. Mr. Hague's remarks at a conference of security experts here were attacked by the Labour Party which called it an attempt by Mr. Hague to ``ingratiate'' himself with the U.S. President-elect on the eve of his inauguration next week. The remarks were also seen as a bid to embarrass the Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair ahead of his first-ever meeting with Mr. George W. Bush expected soon after he moves into White House. There is strong opposition within the Blair Government to the $40 billion programme and the Foreign Office Minister, Mr. Peter Hain has already warned that support to it could provoke widespread protests across Britain from peace campaigners. Mr. Hain himself was an activist in the campaign for nuclear disarmament and his warning has not gone unnoticed.

The project has also been opposed by most European countries, besides China and Russia which see themselves as the target. The project, a legacy of the Reagan administration, could not make much headway during the Clinton regime but is likely to be pushed with some vigour by Mr. Bush's hawkish security team. In fact, there is speculation here that the reason why Mr. Bush singled out Mr. Blair as the first ``European'' leader whom he would meet after becoming President is that he wants to ``soften up'' the British Prime Minister on this issue. Britain is crucial to the success of the programme because one of the major facilities would need to be located on British soil.

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Section  : International
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