Euro leaders voice alarm over ‘Son of Star Wars’

French president Jacques Chirac and Germany’s chancellor Gerhard Schroder have voiced fears over the US ‘‘Son of Star Wars’’ missile defence plan.

‘‘We are completely in agreement to take on the discussion that our American allies have proposed in this domain,’’ Chirac said after an informal Franco-German dinner meeting in Paris. ‘‘Even if we have some reserves for the moment.’’

Schroder said he hoped for ‘‘a frank and honest dialogue’’.

But ‘‘a dialogue can only function when the different parties are ready to hear and seriously listen to the others’ opinion and take it into account,’’ the German chancellor said.

This week a US delegation tried to convince European officials that US president George W Bush’s missile defence plan would not start a new arms race.

There are fears in Europe that the US plan will undermine arms control agreements.

Chirac said France and Germany had a ‘‘common position’’ on the plan.