BRUSSELS - France's defense minister cast doubt on the need for theater missile defenses in Europe, keeping Paris at odds with the Bush administration on the issue.
Speaking to members of the European Parliament here Dec. 1, Hervé Morin asked what funds Europe would have left for other things if it committed to the "huge cost" of such defenses.
Morin raised other questions as well. "Who would hold the key" to their use? What threat would they tackle?
"There are risks, yes, but to say that there is a threat today would need to be checked," he said.
He also said the decision on such defenses would need to be made in the context of relations with Russia.
U.S. officials want to install interceptors in Poland and radar in the Czech Republic to shoot down missiles from Iran and North Korea. Russia hotly opposes the idea, and has threatened to deploy theater missiles in Kaliningrad if the project goes forward.
Morin's remarks came two weeks after French President Nicolas Sarkozy offered an even more negative assessment of missile defense. On Nov. 14, Sarkozy proposed a mid-2009 meeting on European security, possibly within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
"It will not be a conclusive summit, but we could put down the basis of what could be an agreement between us," the president said. "And, between now and then, please, let's not talk about the deployment of a missile shield, of missiles, which do not bring anything in terms of security."
Morin said that delays in the delivery of A400M airlifters were "a real concern." He said France had decided to look at which specifications could be downgraded and what late fees might be reduced, but also said that EADS must commit to a clear program and keep to a timetable.
Morin also said that progress is being made on the French idea to have an EU center of command and planning in Brussels.
The Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program is ready to test a few components that soldiers may have in their hands by 2010.
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