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FM voices concern about deployment of NATO missile system in Turkey
Tehran, Sept 17, IRNA - The Iranian foreign minister here on Saturday
voiced concern over the deployment of NATO missile defense shield in
Turkey, calling it unnecessary.
Ali Akbar Salehi made the remark in a joint press conference with
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.
Referring to the historical relations between Iran and Armenia, he
called the ties between the two counties 'positive and brotherly'.
`Armenian minorities are respected by their Iranian compatriots,' the
minsiter added.
Speaking about its meeting with his Armenian counterpart, Iran's FM
stated that the development of bilateral relations was emphasized
during the meeting.
Salehi noted that the deployment of NATO defense shield in the
neighboring country of Turkey is a source of concern for the Islamic
Republic of Iran and other regional countries.
`The region is undergoing great developments and Turkey should
reconsider the deployment NATO missile system on its soil,' he added.
`The deployment of missile defense shield in Turkey is viewed
unnecessary. Iran hopes that Turkish officials have enough
justification in this regard and can prevent more misunderstanding
among regional countries,' Salehi said.
Pointing to the Iran's 15 neighboring countries, he added that the
Islamic Republic's regional diplomacy is based on detente with each
neighboring country and establishment of peace in the region.
The outside powers are trying to sow discord among regional countries, he said.
The Iranian foreign ministry had earlier called NATO's proposal for
the establishment of new ballistic missile shield in Turkey as
'seriously suspicious.'
An early warning radar will be stationed in Turkey's southeast as part
of NATO's missile defense system.
Turkey agreed to host the radar in September within the framework of
the NATO missile defense architecture, saying it would strengthen both
its own and NATO's defense capacities.
In this context, the site surveys and relevant legal arrangements have
also been finalized, and accordingly a military installation in
Kurecik has been designated as the radar site.
Kurecik in Malatya province lies some 700 kilometers (435 miles) west
of the Iranian border.
In September, Pentagon spokesman Col. Dave Lapan said the United
States hoped to have the radar deployed there by the end of the year.
Turkey's announcement about the radar came a day after Romania signed
a deal to host a crucial part of a U.S. missile defense system.
Under the NATO plans, a limited system of U.S. anti-missile
interceptors and radars already planned for Europe to include
interceptors in Romania and Poland as well as the radar in Turkey
would be linked to expanded European owned missile defenses. That
would create a broad system that protects every NATO country against
medium-range missile attack.
Russia opposes the planned missile defense system, which it worries
could threaten its own nuclear missiles or undermine its deterrence
capability. Moscow agreed to consider a NATO proposal last year to
cooperate on the missile shield, but insisted the system be run
jointly. NATO rejected that demand and no compromise has been found
yet.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Tehran, Sept 17, IRNA - The Iranian foreign minister here on Saturday
voiced concern over the deployment of NATO missile defense shield in
Turkey, calling it unnecessary.
Ali Akbar Salehi made the remark in a joint press conference with
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.
Referring to the historical relations between Iran and Armenia, he
called the ties between the two counties 'positive and brotherly'.
`Armenian minorities are respected by their Iranian compatriots,' the
minsiter added.
Speaking about its meeting with his Armenian counterpart, Iran's FM
stated that the development of bilateral relations was emphasized
during the meeting.
Salehi noted that the deployment of NATO defense shield in the
neighboring country of Turkey is a source of concern for the Islamic
Republic of Iran and other regional countries.
`The region is undergoing great developments and Turkey should
reconsider the deployment NATO missile system on its soil,' he added.
`The deployment of missile defense shield in Turkey is viewed
unnecessary. Iran hopes that Turkish officials have enough
justification in this regard and can prevent more misunderstanding
among regional countries,' Salehi said.
Pointing to the Iran's 15 neighboring countries, he added that the
Islamic Republic's regional diplomacy is based on detente with each
neighboring country and establishment of peace in the region.
The outside powers are trying to sow discord among regional countries, he said.
The Iranian foreign ministry had earlier called NATO's proposal for
the establishment of new ballistic missile shield in Turkey as
'seriously suspicious.'
An early warning radar will be stationed in Turkey's southeast as part
of NATO's missile defense system.
Turkey agreed to host the radar in September within the framework of
the NATO missile defense architecture, saying it would strengthen both
its own and NATO's defense capacities.
In this context, the site surveys and relevant legal arrangements have
also been finalized, and accordingly a military installation in
Kurecik has been designated as the radar site.
Kurecik in Malatya province lies some 700 kilometers (435 miles) west
of the Iranian border.
In September, Pentagon spokesman Col. Dave Lapan said the United
States hoped to have the radar deployed there by the end of the year.
Turkey's announcement about the radar came a day after Romania signed
a deal to host a crucial part of a U.S. missile defense system.
Under the NATO plans, a limited system of U.S. anti-missile
interceptors and radars already planned for Europe to include
interceptors in Romania and Poland as well as the radar in Turkey
would be linked to expanded European owned missile defenses. That
would create a broad system that protects every NATO country against
medium-range missile attack.
Russia opposes the planned missile defense system, which it worries
could threaten its own nuclear missiles or undermine its deterrence
capability. Moscow agreed to consider a NATO proposal last year to
cooperate on the missile shield, but insisted the system be run
jointly. NATO rejected that demand and no compromise has been found
yet.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress