The United States must discuss national missile defense with Europe, said German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Saturday.
"Only in a trusting atmosphere, when we discuss with our US partners, only then is there a solid basis for decision-making," Schroeder told an international security conference in Munich.
"There is no doubt that within NATO, within the Alliance, we have to talk about what the repercussion and potential implications (national missile defense) would have for Russia, China and the alliance," he added.
There would in any case have to be clarity as to what the plans of the United States, he said, adding that he was not yet sure.
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is expected to try to reassure Washington's European allies about US military plans, on what is the first visit to Europe of an official from the new Bush administration.
Rumsfeld will speak at a panel discussion on "transatlantic relationships and European security and defense identity."
As well as holding talks with Schroeder, he will meet defense ministers from Germany, Britain, France and Italy, and NATO's secretary general George Robertson.
He is also due to meet senior officials from India and Singapore, US officials said in Washington.
Missile defense, US peacekeeping in the Balkans and European plans for a 60,000-strong rapid-reaction force are key issues in a debate that has exposed divisions within the alliance more than a decade after the end of the Cold War.
But a senior US defense official was played down the possibilities for conflict. "I don't think it requires a flak jacket, I think it requires just honest discussion," he said -- MUNICH, Germany (AFP)
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