Obama scraps missile defence shield

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama yesterday shelved a Bush-era plan for an Eastern European missile defence system that has been a major irritant in relations with Russia. He said a redesigned defensive system would be cheaper and more effective against the threat from Iranian missiles.

“Our new missile defence architecture in Europe will provide stronger, smarter and swifter defences of American forces and America’s allies,” Obama said in an announcement from the White House. “It is more comprehensive than the previous programme, it deploys capabilities that are proven and cost effective and it sustains and builds upon our commitment to protect the US homeland.”

The missile defence system, planned under the Bush administration, was to have been built in the Czech Republic and Poland. Obama phoned Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer on Wednesday and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk yesterday to alert them of his decision.