Son of Star Wars gets cool reception from NATO chiefs

NATO’S top policy-making body stopped far short of endorsing a US plan for the Son of Star Wars national missile defence today, agreeing only to ‘‘continue substantive consultations’’ with Washington.

A joint statement issued by the North Atlantic Council does not portray the possibility of missile attack as a common threat faced by allies, as the Bush administration had hoped.

Secretary of State Colin Powell had hoped to persuade sceptical Nato allies to be more supportive of US plans for a missile defence.

But, according to sources close to the process, France and Germany resisted stronger language sought by Powell.

The final statement from the meeting in Budapest, the Hungarian capital, said Nato allies ‘‘welcome the consultations initiated by President Bush on the US strategic review, including missile defence.’’

‘‘We intend to pursue these consultations vigorously, and welcome the United States’ assurance that the views of allies will be taken into account as it considers its plans further.’’

In a minor victory, Powell persuaded Nato foreign ministers to omit from the joint statement any mention of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

The Bush administration wants to scrap or heavily modify the treaty, which prohibits development of national missile defence systems.