missile defense cooperation

U.S. Responds to Austrian Defense Minister

On August 23, Department of State Press Spokesman Gallegos challenged the Austrian Defense Minister’s criticism of missile defense cooperation: “We view the Cold War as being over. Such comments are not helpful, and we now face a new strategic environment that requires us to move beyond Cold War thinking. The proposed system under discussion with Poland and the Czech Republic is solely defensive in nature and is directed at emerging threats from the Middle East.

We've been open and transparent with all EU and NATO allies on this, and we'll continue to do so. We are discussing missile defense with the Russians; and Presidents Bush and Putin agreed to have experts discuss a full range of missile defense issues. We're going to be holding our second round of these meetings to discuss potential missile defense cooperation in mid-September.”