Timeline of Key Events
in the European NMD Debate

 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002

2002

Spring – ALASKA – Additional NMD Test Bed is planned for construction in Fort Greely,  Alaska. If this goes ahead it could well bring the US into violation of the ABM Treaty.

Record of Decision for Site Preparation

June 13 – WASHINGTON – US withdrawal from the ABM Treaty formally becomes effective.

April 8 -19 – NEW YORK –  First PrepCom for 2005 Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review conference. US pressure to abrogate/renegotiate the ABM Treaty could well be raised as threatening the health of the NPT.

2001

December 31 – WASHINGTON – Completion date for the US Nuclear Posture Review (NPR).

Union of Concerned Scientists Nuclear Posture Review Campaign

U.S. Department of Defense Summary of 1993 Nuclear Posture Review

December 18-19 – BRUSSELS  – NATO Defense Ministers Meeting

NATO Background to the Meeting

December 13 – WASHINGTON and MOSCOW – The United States provides formal notification of its withdrawal from the ABM Treaty. President Bush argues that there is a growing threat from terrorist groups and rogue states and that "under the terms of the ABM Treaty, the United States is prohibited from defending its homeland against ballistic missile attack." The decision provokes reaction across the globe as the latest sign of US unilateralism. Under the terms of the Treaty the US withdrawal will become effective six months after notification on 13 June 2002.

White House Statement on the withdrawal

Scrapping ABM Treaty Highlights Unilateralist Arms Control Agenda BASIC Press Release, 13 December 2001

International Reactions to the US Decision to Withdraw from the ABM Treaty Last Updated 18 December 2001

December 6-7 – BRUSSELS – NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting

NATO Background to the Meeting

November 12-14  – WASHINGTON and TEXAS – Presidents Bush and Putin meet to discuss a renegotiation of the 1972 ABM Treaty to allow for the development of a NMD system.  The two Presidents also discuss making deep cuts in strategic nuclear arsenals.  Despite the optimism of reaching an historic agreement that surrounded the talks, no deal was codified with a written treaty.

October 21 – SHANGHAI – During a summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) Presidents Bush and Putin meet to discuss arms control and the future of the ABM Treaty. September 11 has clearly reinforced Bush's belief in NMD, he states the terrorist attacks "make it clearer than ever that a cold war ABM treaty that prevents us from defending our people is outdated, and I believe dangerous." 

In response the Russian stance towards NMD appears to be softening as President Putin tells journalist that "I believe we do have understanding that we can reach agreements, taking into account national interests of Russia, 
the United States, and taking into account the necessity to strengthen 
international security." These statements raise expectations that a Russian-American deal on NMD and the ABM Treaty may be imminent. (22 October 2001, New York Times, "Bush and Putin Declare They can Alter the ABM Pact" by David E. Sanger).

September 26-27 – BRUSSELS – Informal meeting of NATO Defense Ministers. 

NATO Background to the Meeting

September 11th – NEW YORK and WASHINGTON – Terrorists unleash a hugely destructive attack on the United States. Thousands are killed as hijacked planes are flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center and one wing of the Pentagon. The ramifications of these attacks on the NMD debate are, as yet, difficult to perceive with both camps presenting them as proof of their point. On the one hand it is argued that missile defense would have done nothing to stop the terrorists, on the other that the attacks vividly illustrate the threat to the US and that fundamentalist group would not hesitate to use ballistic missiles if they could develop them.

BASIC Site on Transatlantic Responses to Terrorism 

Straws in the Wind – US Quotes on the Terrorist Attacks and Missile Defense. From the Council for a Livable World

July 20-22 – GENOA – During a G-8 Summit overshadowed by street battles between Italian police and anti-globalization demonstrators, President Bush has a second round of bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their joint statement promises further debate on NMD and the future of the ABM Treaty "We agreed that major changes in the world require concrete discussions of both offensive and defensive systems. We already have some strong and tangible points of agreement. We will shortly begin intensive consultations on the interrelated subjects of offensive and defensive systems."

Full Text of Bush-Putin Joint Statement 

July 14 – KWAJALEIN ATOLL – The fourth NMD intercept trial ends in apparent success as the target ICBM is destroyed. According to Air Force Lt. Gen. Ronald Kadish, Director of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization "We believe we have a successful test in all aspects... the kill
intercept was confirmed by all of our sensors." However, he does caution that it will take around two months to fully analyze the results of the test. 

In response, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Yakovenko declares on July 15 "A logical question again arises: why take matters to the point of placing under threat the entire internationally-agreed structure of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation – including its core, the 1972 ABM Treaty?" (15 July 2001, BBC News Website, "Russia Condemns US Missile Test") 

It later emerges that a beacon on the target ICBM had signaled its location to the interceptor missile during the test. When questioned on this the Pentagon spokesman Navy Rear Adm. Craig Quigley states that "we have made no secret of this" but concedes that real warheads in an attack would not carry such beacons. (27 July 2001, Reuters, "Officials Say Beacon Aids Anti-Missile Test")  

June 16 – LJUBLIJANA – President Bush meets Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time at a summit in the Slovenian capital.  No deal on the ABM Treaty is reached between the two leaders.  President Putin declares: “The official position of the Russian Government is known. We proceed from the idea that the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty is the cornerstone of the modern architecture of international security.” The leaders agree to further dialogue on the issue.

June 15-16 – GOTEBORG – EU Summit.  The Rapid Reaction Force dominates the agenda for this meeting.  Undoubtedly, disagreements over missile defense proposals also factor into discussions.  

June 14 – STOCKHOLM and GOTEBORG – EU-US Summit.  

June 13 – BRUSSELS – NATO 'special meeting.'  President Bush attends this meeting, in advance of the EU-US summit the following day.  Missile defense is high on the agenda, as is the question of the EU's proposed Rapid Reaction Force. President Bush makes the following remarks to the North Atlantic Council concerning NMD: "I ask for your trust when I pledge to consult you at every stage. I ask you to help me persuade Vladimir Putin to think differently and to join us in meeting this deadly new threat [ballistic missile and WMD proliferation]. We have a common interest in making a smooth transition from the ABM Treaty to a new security framework for a new century...I am firmly committed to missile defense as part of this new framework, Missile defense adds to deterrence in the contemporary world." 

Statement to the Press by NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson

NATO Background to the Meeting

June 12 – MADRID – President Bush begins his first major overseas trip as President with a visit to Spain. The Prime Minister of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar, responds positively to Bush's NMD ideas, declaring "What I'm surprised by is the fact that there are people who, from the start, disqualified this initiative [NMD]...what we're dealing with here is an attempt to provide greater security for everyone. And from that point of view, that initiative, to share and discuss and dialogue and reach common ground with the President of the United States, is something that I greatly appreciate."

Text of Bush-Aznar Joint Press Conference  

June 12 – FREIBURG – Seventy-Seventh Franco-German Summit. On the eve of President Bush's arrival in Europe, President Chirac of France and Chancellor Shroeder of Germany issue a joint declaration underlining European support for the principals of multilateral arms control.  In particular item seven of the declaration states: "France and Germany consider that the risks of ballistic proliferation necessitate a strengthening of the multilateral non-proliferation instruments."

Franco-German Defense and Security Council Freiburg Declaration

June 7-8 – BRUSSELS – NATO Defense Ministers meeting.  US Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, argues that lack of ballistic missile defense "give future adversaries the ability to hold our populations hostage to terror and blackmail" and "creates incentives for missile proliferation." However, he also stresses that "We're going to keep talking to our allies." (8 June 2001, The Independent, "'Star Wars' Vital to Curb Power of Rogue States, says Rumsfeld")

NATO Background to the Meeting

May 29-30 – BUDAPEST – NATO Foreign Ministers meeting. The communiqué, which makes no reference to the ABM Treaty, states the allies "intend to pursue ... consultations vigorously, and welcome the United States’ assurance that the views of the Allies will be taken into account as it considers its plans further" on missile defense and other issues.

NATO Communiqué

NATO Background to the Meeting

On the Road to Budapest A series of articles profiling key nuclear policy issues facing NATO

May 24 – WASHINGTON – Senator James Jeffords of Vermont announces he is leaving the Republican Party to stand as an independent. The shift hands control of the Senate to the Democrats who are highly skeptical of the way in which President Bush is pursuing missile defense. Tom Daschle, the new Senate majority leader, declares on national television "If you're asking should we violate the ABM Treaty; if you're asking should we alienate every ally, and Russia and China besides; if you're asking should we commit to something, deploy something that still hasn't been shown to work, I'd say no." (28 May 2001, BBC News Website, "Democrats Threaten Bush's Missile Shield").

May 11 – MOSCOW – US officials visit Moscow for talks with the Russian government on missile defense.  Alexander Yakovenko, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman declares: "The United States has been unable to give us arguments to convince us that they see clearly how to solve the problems of international security without damaging disarmament agreements which have stood for 30 years." (12 May 2001, Financial Times, "Russia Resists US Charm Offensive on Missiles")

May 10 – ROME – US officials visit Rome for talks with the Italian government on missile defense.

May 10 – BERLIN – US officials visit Berlin for talks with the German government on missile defense.  Michael Steiner, foreign policy adviser to Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder declares: "We have a number of questions to which we need answers and we don't have them yet. This is why the German position is that we say neither 'yes' nor 'no" ("Factbox - What They Said on US Missile Defense Plans", Reuters, 11 May 2001)

May 9 – PARIS – US officials visit Paris for talks with the French government on missile defense.  Francois Rivasseau, French Foreign Ministry spokesman declares: "Our position and our questions are well known. We had the opportunity of reminding the American delegation about them." (11 May 2001, Reuters, "Factbox – What They Said on U.S. Missile Defense Plans")

May 9 – COPENHAGEN – US officials visit Copenhagen for talks with the Danish government on missile defense.  At the subsequent press conference Danish and US officials insist that the possible use of Thule in a missile defense system was not discussed.

May 9 – THE HAGUE – US officials visit The Hague for consultations with the Dutch government on missile defense.

May 8 – BRUSSELS – US officials make a series of presentations to the North Atlantic Council on the Bush administration's ideas about missile defense.

May 8 – LONDON – US Officials visit London for talks with the UK government on missile defense, as part of a series of visits designed to weaken global opposition.  No press conference is held but subsequent press reports indicated that UK officials focused on means of strengthening non-proliferation agreements.  Discussing NMD, a UK Foreign Office Spokesman says: "We would be happy as long as it is in an agreed framework between the United States and Russia". ("Factbox – What They Said on US Missile Defense Plans", Reuters, 11 May 2001)

May 3 – COPENHAGEN – The Danish Parliament holds a debate on NMD.  During the debate, Foreign Minister Mogens Lykketoft repeatedly stresses the crucial significance of the Chinese reaction to a US missile defense if a new arms race is to be avoided.

"Denmark Leaders Warn US on Chinese Reaction to Missile Defense," by Jorgen Dragsdahl, BASIC Reports #78

May 1 – WASHINGTON – In a speech delivered at the National Defense University in Washington, US President George W. Bush reaffirms his administration's commitment to building a 'layered' missile defense system  and declares his readiness to “leave behind the constraints” of the ABM Treaty. To soften opposition to the announcement Bush promises heavy reductions in U.S. strategic nuclear arms and “real consultations” with Russia, China and the European allies.

Bush Proclaims Nuclear Anarchy, BASIC Press Advisory, 30 April 2001

Full Text of Bush's May 1 Speech

April 25 – COPENHAGEN – Danish Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee holds a public hearing on NMD.  Danish MPs hear evidence from a variety of NMD experts, many of which urge the government to take a stronger line and oppose Washington's plans. 

"Denmark Leaders Warn US on Chinese Reaction to Missile Defense," by Jorgen Dragsdahl, BASIC Reports #78

March 6 – WASHINGTON – EU-US Foreign Ministers meeting.  EU delegation is headed by Swedish Prime Minister, Anna Lindh, and includes Secretary General of EU Council, Javier Solana, and European Commissioner, Chris Patten.

March 5-6 – WASHINGTON – Danish Foreign Minister, Mogens Lykkestoft,  visits the United States for talks with President Bush.

March 2-4 – MUNICH – US Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, travels to Europe to attend the annual Munich Conference on Security Policy.  During the conference Rumsfeld describes NMD as a "moral imperative" for any American president. (4 February 2001, BBC News Online, “Russia condemns US 'Star Wars'”)

February 27 – BRUSSELS – NATO Foreign Ministers meeting.  During the meeting, visiting US Secretary of State Colin Powell states: "We believe it is our responsibility to create a missile defense that protects the United States, our allies and friends, all, against the threat of missile proliferation that could deliver weapons of mass destruction to any of our countries."

NATO Information on the Meeting

February 23-24 – WASHINGTON – UK Prime Minister Tony Blair visits the US for talks with President Bush.  NMD, and the possible use of UK facilities in a proposed US system, are believed to be high on the agenda.

Blair Must Represent Not Just Britain, But Europe on NMD BASIC Press Advisory, 20 February 2001 US Version  UK Version

Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair

January 20 – WASHINGTON – George W. Bush is inaugurated as the 43rd president of the United States.  Bush declares in his inaugural speech, "We will build our defenses beyond challenge, lest weakness invite challenge."

January 13 – LONDON – William Hague, leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, challenges Prime Minister Tony Blair to provide a firm commitment of support for US plans for NMD. Hague states, "I think the United States should be supported in pushing forward this project and in pursuing the necessary research." Hague stresses he is in favor of seeing any potential shield extended to protect Europe. (13 January 2001, The Times, "Blair Plays Long Game to Avoid Star Wars Split")

The Conservative Missile Defense Plan: At What Cost BASIC Press Advisory, 9 February 2001

2000

November 20-22 – MOSCOW – UK Prime Minister Tony Blair visits Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.  Blair states that he believes there should be "a proper dialogue" between the United States and Russia on the subject of NMD. He also tells Putin that US concerns are primarily with "rogue states," and should not be seen as an attempt to revive the arms race. (21 November 2000, The Times, "Beer-Cellar Blair Keeps Options Open")

October 24 – LONDON – The UK Government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office releases its response to the Foreign Affairs Committee's August 2 report (see below)

September 22 – LONDON – At their yearly conference, the Liberal Democrats, the third largest UK political party, approve an emergency motion calling on the United States to abandon its plans for a NMD system. It also calls on the UK government to reject any formal demand from the United States for the use of UK sites in the proposed system.

September 1 – EUROPE – US President Bill Clinton's decision to delay deployment of the NMD system is broadly welcomed by all major European governments.  French President Jacques Chirac says the project "risks jeopardizing the strategic balance and restarting the arms race."  Meanwhile, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is reported to have urged Clinton "not to make a hasty decision." (2 September 2000, AP, "Global: World Leaders Weigh in on National Defense Decision")

August 22 – NUUK – John Holum, US undersecretary of state for arms control and international security affairs, meets with officials from the home-rule government during a visit to Greenland. The visit is seen as an attempt by the United States to secure support for the use of Thule Air Base in its planned NMD system. (22 August 2000, Reuters, "US, Greenland Discuss Missile Shield Radar") 

August 2 – LONDON – The influential Foreign Affairs Select Committee of the House of Commons releases its report on "Weapons of Mass Destruction." The wide-ranging report strongly criticizes the wisdom of the proposed NMD network.  The Committee states; “We are not convinced that the US plans to deploy NMD represent an appropriate response to the proliferation problems faced by the international community.”

"Weapons of Mass Destruction" Official House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Report
"UK Committee Slams NMD" BASIC Press Release

July 8 – KWAJALEIN ATOLL – The third NMD intercept test ends in failure as the exoatmospheric kill vehicle fails to separate from its booster, preventing an attempt at intercepting the incoming missile. This is the last test before President Bill Clinton is to make his decision on deployment.

April 14 – MOSCOW – The Duma finally ratifies START II, but with provisions crucial to the future of the ABM treaty and plans for NMD. Under Article II of the Duma’s ratifying legislation, deputies approve motions allowing Russia to abandon START II if the United States violates the ABM Treaty through the deployment of a national missile defense system. Putin goes even further in his speech to the Duma prior to the vote, saying if “the United States decides to destroy the 1972 ABM Treaty …we will withdraw not only from the START II treaty but also the whole system of treaties on limitation and control of strategic and conventional weapons.”

March 21 – LONDON – UK Foreign and Commonwealth Minister Peter Hain tells BBC's Newsnight program that he does "not like the idea of a Star Wars program, limited or unlimited." On the same evening, UK Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon tells Channel 4 News that if the United States were to ask Britain to use Fylingdales, "the history of our close friendship ... is that we are sympathetic such requests." (22 March 2000, The Guardian, "Ministers Split Over British Role in US Defense Shield")

January 18 – KWAJALEIN ATOLL – Two malfunctioning infrared sensors on the exoatmospheric kill vehicle are blamed for the failure of the second NMD intercept trial. This is the first test in which the interceptor is not pre-programmed with the incoming trajectory of the ICBM.

1999

October 2 – KWAJALEIN ATOLL – The NMD testing program conducts its first intercept trial. After an apparent intercept success, later data reveals complications.  It becomes apparent that the interceptor's exoatmospheric kill vehicle first targets on the test’s decoy balloon before subsequently targeting and hitting the Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) itself.

August 20 – COPENHAGEN – The Danish High Court of the Eastern Circuit states that the original population of the area around Thule Air Base in Greenland were relocated by force in 1953, and awarded compensation. The plaintiffs are now appealing both the amount awarded and the refusal to grant a right to return to the area. 

"The Danish Dilemma" by Jorgen Dragsdahl, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.

1998

1997

March 20 – LONDON – Permission is granted by the UK government for the deployment by the United States of the new European Ground Relay Station for the new Space-Based Infra-Red System (SBIRS-High) at RAF Menwith Hill.  Within the proposed NMD system, SBIRS-High is designed to pick up the fact that a booster has been launched and provide some initial trajectory information.  

Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB) Provide information on new developments at Fylingdales and Menwith Hill.

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