BERLIN (AP) – The leader of Germany’s governing Social Democrats criticized U.S. plans to locate a missile defense system in eastern Europe, insisting in an interview published Monday that “we need no new missiles in Europe.”
Germany, which holds the European Union presidency, has called for discussions within NATO on the disputed plan. Conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday also alluded to it as she called for alliance members to avoid “divisions” over defense policy.
The U.S. plan to place a radar base in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland as part of its proposed missile defense shield has infuriated Russia, which has suggested it could lead to a new arms race. It has also prompted unease elsewhere in Europe.
“We need no new missiles in Europe,” Kurt Beck, the chairman of the center-left Social Democrats, or SPD, was quoted as saying in an interview with the mass-circulation Bild daily.
He said his party, which makes up half of the conservative Merkel’s left-right coalition, “does not want a new arms race between the USA and Russia on European soil.”
“Europe must speak with one voice here,” he added, according to the report. “There are enough problems worldwide that we need to master. I would name poverty, climate change and terrorism – new missiles and weapons systems won’t help here.”
SPD general secretary Hubertus Heil also criticized the program, saying in an interview with ARD television: “We are against this measure and must avoid an arms race spiral – so one should talk with Russia and not provoke the country.”
Those comments were sharper than recent remarks by ministers, but government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm sought to dismiss suggestions that coalition leaders were at odds.
He reiterated calls by ministers from right and left for discussions inside NATO, and said government officials were “in harmony” on the issue. Beck leads the SPD of former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who irked the U.S. administration by opposing the Iraq war, but has no Cabinet post.
“We believe that we must not open divisions in Europe on this question, but rather that we should talk about the whole issue of the missile shield inside NATO with the greatest care, also with the greatest calm,” Wilhelm told reporters.
The Polish and Czech governments have said they are willing to enter negotiations with the U.S. on the plan.
Still, the Czech Republic has seen protests – and a poll published in Poland Monday showed 51 percent of people there opposed the plan, with only 30 percent in favor.
Merkel avoided specific reference to the issue during a speech at an event organized by her party, but said it was “my deep conviction that today, even more than perhaps earlier … going it alone does nobody any good.”
She said that allies should always take care “to talk about everything together in trusting terms in order to prevent divisions.”
On Monday, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier – a Social Democrat – and top EU officials were to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington.
Steinmeier called over the weekend for “calm and seriousness, not agitation” on missile defense.
Wilhelm said Merkel was “thankful” for signals over recent days that the missile defense would be discussed within NATO.
He did not elaborate, but Polish President Lech Kaczynski said on Saturday that his country’s National Security Council would consider the German suggestion.
