Sen. Lugar: Confidence In NATO Could Be Threatened By Missile Defense Changes

By Meagan Wiseley, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

According to Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Poland and the Czech Republic may have significant reasons to be wary of the Obama administration’s plan to scrap a long-range missile defense system in Eastern Europe.

“The recent decision by the Obama administration to alter alliance missile defense plans has the potential to further damage confidence of Article V,” said Lugar, referring to a NATO provision that requires members of the treaty organization to come to the aid of fellow members when under military threat.

“For the Poles the presence of having American “boots on the ground” reaffirms the U.S. commitment to Polish security,” Lugar added.

Lugar, who is the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, noted that he does not oppose the administration’s new plan, which would provide better protection against Iranian short and medium range missiles, but added that support for the new missile defense system could be outweighed by the low confidence of Article V.

“When evaluating NATO I start from the presumption that after 60 years it is still a work in progress. Alliances must continually re-assess their purposes and adapt to new circumstances.”