ambassador speeches

Embassy Prague Welcomes Public Debate on Missile Defense

The wealth of public debate about a possible missile defense installation in the Czech Republic has touched upon many important issues for consideration, including how a U.S. missile defense system would relate to NATO.  We believe discussion of these issues in a spirit of openness is the best way our two democracies can explore possibilities for the future.  I have followed the various arguments in favor of and against such a missile defense system in the Czech press with great interest, and I would like to provide a U.S. perspective on this important issue. 

First, U.S. commitment to NATO is incontestable.  We want a strong and effective NATO that is capable of dealing with all threats as effectively and efficiently as possible.  Our priority is to ensure that all member states – not only the United States itself – are safe from the threat of attack.  Article Five of the NATO Charter embodies the central principle of the alliance and enshrines that commitment:  an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. 

Second, the United States has welcomed NATO’s exploration of forming a NATO missile defense system, which is currently in the earliest stages.  We have a great relationship with NATO and European governments to provide technical information that will help them determine what type of missile defense is required for their national security.  It would be inconceivable that a U.S. missile defense system would not be compatible with and complimentary to a NATO missile defense system, and that the two systems would not work in coordination for a common cause:  the defense of all NATO member states. 

Third, the placement of a missile defense facility in Europe would extend protection to our friends and allies.  A small number of interceptors and one or two radars will help to provide a defense for NATO against a limited ballistic missile attack from a country like Iran, which continues to develop long-range missiles.  We applaud the Czech Republic for its willingness to consider contributing to the enhanced collective security of Europe.