NATO chief dismisses Russian missile defense worry

[unhappycamper]

http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/NATO-chief-dismisses-Russian-missile-defense-worry-4245298.php

NATO chief dismisses Russian missile defense worry
By DAVID RISING, Associated Press | February 2, 2013 | Updated: February 2, 2013 7:55am

MUNICH (AP) — NATO's secretary-general said Saturday the alliance has no intention of backing down on its plans for a European-missile defense system despite ongoing criticism from Russia.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen told a small group of reporters on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference that in dealings with Moscow "this question of missile defense remains ... the big elephant in the room." But he said NATO's decision has been made and he hopes Russia will work together with the alliance on the issue.

"We have made clear from the outset that NATO has made the decision to establish a NATO missile defense system because it's our obligation to ensure effective defense of our populations," Fogh Rasmussen said. "Having said that, we have invited Russia to cooperate and ... now it's up to Russia to engage in that."

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He noted that since 2001, the U.S. share of NATO defense spending has risen from 63 percent to 72 percent while most European nations have cut their defense budgets.



unhappycamper comment: Your tax dollars at work.