'Missile defence work needed'

The United States will develop anti-missile defences as long as an Iranian nuclear threat persists, and North Korea must be made to change after its rocket launch, US President Barack Obama said yesterday.

Mr Obama's administration had been cool on a deal reached by his predecessor, George W. Bush, to put radar in the Czech Republic and interceptor rockets in Poland to shoot down missiles fired by countries like Iran or North Korea. But the issue grabbed the spotlight yesterday after North Korea launched a long-range missile, drawing condemnation from the international community.

During a visit to the Czech capital yesterday, Mr Obama said Washington would continue with the plan as long as Iran was developing its nuclear programme.

"As long as the threat from Iran persists, we will go forward with the missile system," Mr Obama said in a speech.

"If the Iranian threat is eliminated, we will have a stronger basis for security, and the driving force for missile construction in Europe will be removed."

Earlier Gary Samore, White House coordinator for arms control, said the North Korean launch meant missile defence would remain a priority.

"The North Korean test illustrates the importance of continuing to develop missile defence in order to protect... both the country and our allies in Asia," Mr Samore told reporters.

Mr Samore said international unity would be the most effective way to confront North Korea, saying that its rocket launch was not only a threat to neighbours South Korea and Japan but also "damages" Russia and China.

A US official said later that Mr Obama told Polish leaders the United States will continue research and development of its missile defence shield.

"The president underscored his support for missile defence provided that it is cost effective and provided that the threat against which it is designed, namely Iran, remained," the official said. "The President said he intends to continue research and development of missile defence."

The Czechs and Poles have signed treaties with Washington on the missile defence plan, angering their former Soviet master Russia.

Later yesterday President Barack Obama arrived in Nato member Turkey in his first visit as President to a Muslim country.

Mr Obama's visit, on the last leg of an eight-day trip that marks his debut as President on the world stage, is a recognition of the secular but predominantly Muslim country's growing clout and Washington's desire for its help to solve confrontations and conflicts from Iran to Afghanistan.