US: The United States is considering establishing a missile defence system in Europe designed to stop a ballistic missile threat from the Middle East, according to the Pentagon.
A spokesman said they had been in discussion with European allies for several years about 10 anti-missile interceptors.
The New York Times reported yesterday that the system was intended to thwart a potential attack from Iran and that the US wanted it in place by 2011.
Poland and the Czech Republic were said to be among the countries under consideration.
According to unnamed Pentagon officials, a recommendation is expected to be made this summer to defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld, said the report.
It added that the Pentagon had asked Congress for $56 million (€44 million) to begin initial work on the site, and that the final cost was estimated at $1.6 billion.
A US defence department spokesman confirmed talks were ongoing with Poland, among various countries, but would not name others individually or specify from where in the Middle East the threat was perceived.
"The deployment of ballistic missile defence systems to Europe would make a significant contribution to the protection of the US and European allies from a Middle Eastern ballistic missile threat," said Lieut Commander Joe Carpenter.
"The US has been examining the feasibility of fielding ballistic missile defence assets in Europe for several years. Beginning in 2002, we've held consultations with a number of our allies about their willingness to host defence interceptors, including Poland," he said.
"No decision has been made about whether and where to field missile defence assets in Europe, although we are taking the steps necessary to make a recommendation to the secretary of defence."
He added that besides a site for interceptors, radars to track any attack would be needed. These could be based elsewhere.