Fed: Long range missiles could target Aussie troops

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2003
Fed: Long range missiles could target Aussie troops

CANBERRA, Dec 5 AAP - Australian troops in the field could be targeted by long range
missiles, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer warned today.

Australia yesterday signed up to participate in America's missile defence system amid
claims it could spark a regional arms race.

Mr Downer said the government was concerned about the possibility of long range missiles
being fired at Australia.

He said many people would be surprised that there was currently no credible system
to protect against long range missiles.

"We obviously are concerned, particularly in the medium term, about the possibility
of long range ballistic missiles being fired at our allies or at Australia or at our troops
in the field and we have to have some capacity to defend ourselves," Mr Downer told the
Nine Network.

"I think a lot of people would be surprised to hear that there is no system available
in the world of any credibility which can be used to defend yourself against missiles
fired at you from long range."

Mr Downer said claims the missile defence system could spark a regional arms race were absurd.

Greens Senator Bob Brown said the program was a terrible initiative that threatened
to create a new nuclear arms race involving China, Russia, India, Pakistan and North Korea.

But Mr Downer said Australia's participation in the American missile defence program
proved Australia was committed to addressing all security threats.

"I think the argument that it would spark a regional arms race is just absurd," Mr Downer said.

"This is designed to deal with missiles from rogue states, small numbers of missiles,
not large numbers of missiles.

"But the second thing I would say is that people shouldn't be firing missiles at each
other. This is just a defensive system."

AAP sal/sb/sco/de

KEYWORD: MISSILE DOWNER

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