U.S. missile defense up for debate in U.K.

The "radomes" of RAF Menwith Hill, stand out near the town of Harrogate in England. In July, the Ministry of Defence announced that it would be host to part of a proposed U.S. missile defense program at Menwith Hill, which is already home to a National Security Agency eavesdropping station.


U.S. missile defense up for debate in U.K.
By Bryan Mitchell, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, October 18, 2007


RAF MILDENHALL, England — A Member of Parliament has filed a motion for an open debate on the proposal to locate a technical section of the controversial missile defense program at RAF Menwith Hill.

Martin Horwood, a member of the Liberal Democrat party, introduced an “early day motion” last week in Parliament in response to concerns from a constituent.

The motion was signed by Phil Willis, the Member of Parliament who represents Harrogate, a wealthy Yorkshire town that is home to many Americans stationed at RAF Menwith Hill.

The motion is largely symbolic and Parliament is not expected to hold a debate on the topic. The program has prompted a wave of protests across the United Kingdom and further complicated America’s ambitious plan to establish a missile defense program in Europe.

Horwood’s motion was in response to the July announcement by the Ministry of Defence that it would be host to part of the system at the 560-acre Yorkshire facility already home to a National Security Agency eavesdropping station.

The ministry announced its decision a day before Parliament’s summer recess and before representatives debated the topic.


Rest of article at: http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49582