美国总统奥巴马宣布对欧洲导弹防御系统作出新的调整,同时取消在波兰和捷克部署导弹防御系统的计划。
奥巴马星期四在白宫宣布这一决定时,重申对保护美国及其盟友不受伊朗导弹袭击威胁的承诺。他说,这项计划的改变是对伊朗发展导弹项目重新评估的结果。
美国国防部长盖茨在五角大楼说,新的系统将包含更有效的技术,覆盖面将更广。他说,新系统将包括在舰船和陆地上其他地点部署导弹。
盖茨指出,伊朗远程导弹技术的威胁不像美国官员原来想的那样紧迫,但他说,如果这种威胁加剧,系统将允许扩大防御能力。
U.S. President Barack Obama has unveiled a new approach for a missile defense system in Europe, while ending previous plans for deploying a missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.
In his announcement at the White House Thursday, Mr. Obama reaffirmed his commitment to the defense of the United States and its allies against a missile threat from Iran. He said this change in the U.S. program is the result of a new assessment of Iran’s missile development program.
At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the new system will incorporate more effective technology and expanded coverage. He said it will include missiles on ships and other locations on land.
Gates noted that Iranian long-range missile technology is not as immediate a threat as U.S. officials previously thought. But he said the planned system will allow expanded capability if that threat increases.