国际英语新闻：U.S. unveils new missile defense program in Europe

WASHINGTON, Sep. 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday announced abandonment of the Bush-era controversial missile defense shield program in Eastern Europe, but unveiled a "phased, adaptive approach" for missile defense in the continent.

    "This new approach will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack than the 2007 European missile defense program," Obama said at a brief news conference in the White House.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday announces abandonment of the missile defense shield program in Eastern Europe at a brief news conference in the White House.

Based on an assessment of Iran's missile threat and U.S. advanced and cost-effective missile defense technologies, the Pentagon suggests the four-phase deployment of the missile defense systems in Europe from 2011 to 2020.

    In Phase One (in the 2011 time frame), the United States would deploy current and proven missile defense systems, including the sea-based Aegis Weapon System, the SM-3 interceptor (Block IA), and sensors such as the forward-based Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance system.

In Phase Two (in the 2015 timeframe), the United States would deploy a more capable version of the SM-3 interceptor (Block IB) in both sea- and land-based configurations, and more advanced sensors, to expand the defended area against short- and medium-range missile threats.

    In Phase Three (in the 2018 timeframe), the United States would deploy the more advanced SM-3 Block IIA variant currently under development, to counter short-, medium-, and intermediate-range missile threats.

    In Phase Four (in the 2020 timeframe), the United States would deploy the SM-3 Block IIB to help better cope with medium- and intermediate-range missiles and the potential future ICBM threat to the United States.

    The "phased and adaptive" approach, according to the Pentagon, would sustain U.S. homeland defense against long-range ballistic missile threats, speed protection of U.S. deployed forces, civilian personnel, and their accompanying families against the near-term missile threat from Iran.

    Obama's predecessor George W. Bush and his administration planned to deploy 10 missile interceptors in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic as part of its European missile shield, in a so-called prevention its European allies from missile threat by "rouge state."

    Russia strongly opposes the deployment, saying it poses threat to its security.

Visitors are seen in an abandoned military base of Soviet Red Army in Czech in a file photo of March 28, 2007.US President Barack Obama abandoned Thursday plans for a missile defense shield in the Czech Republic and Poland, replacing them with a revamped project after reassessing the threat from Iran

Looking for Russia's cooperation on dealing with challenges, such as financial crisis, proliferation, climate change, terrorism, the Obama administration has vowed to "press the reset button" with Moscow through more bilateral strategic cooperation and conversation.

    However, like his predecessor, President Obama still stresses missile threat from Iran, reiterates the necessity of missile defense deployment in Europe.

    "President Bush was right that Iran's ballistic missile program poses a significant threat. And that's why I'm committed to deploying strong missile defense systems which are adaptable to the threats of the 21st century," said Obama.

    According to Obama, the policy shift was guided by two principal factors: intelligence assessment of Iran's missile programs and "specific and proven advances" in U.S. missile defense technology.

    "The best way to responsibly advance our security and the security of our allies is to deploy a missile defense system that best responds to the threats that we face and that utilizes technology that is both proven and cost-effective," said the president, who said the new missile defense architecture will provide "stronger, smarter and swifter defenses" for the United States and its allies.

    Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs has denied the linkage between abandoning missile defense programs in the Czech Republic and Poland and Washington's attempt to ease relations with Russia.