Cablegate: Hmg's Positive Reaction to Potus' European-Based

VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLO #2180 2611538
ZNY SSSSS ZZH (CCY ADX0B40820 WSC9649)
P 181538Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3528
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

S E C R E T LONDON 002180

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2019
TAGS: MARR PREL RU UK
SUBJECT: HMG'S POSITIVE REACTION TO POTUS' EUROPEAN-BASED
MISSILE DEFENSE DECISION

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y REF: PARA 1 & 2 CLASS CHANGED REF: SECSTATE 96550

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Greg Berry for Reasons 1.4 a, b, and d

1. (S) HMG will adopt a "supportive position" regarding President Obama's decision about European-based missile defense, Judith Gough (Protect), Deputy Head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Security Policy Group, told Poloff September 17. (Ref) She said that HMG "would like to help" by expressing support for the President's decision. She stated that there has been a great deal of "scrutiny and questions" from the British public and, to a lesser extent, from Parliament regarding U.S. missile defense plans.

2. (S) Gough and John Saltford (Protect), Deputy Team Leader for Missile Defense and Space Security in the FCO's Security Policy Group, stated that the President's announcement would engender a series of questions in the media, including whether there was an agreement struck with Russia. (Note: British media coverage has included analysis and speculation about the nexus between U.S.-Russian relations and the missile defense decision. End Note.) They also asked whether Poland would still receive Patriot missiles, now that now that ground-based interceptors would no longer be deployed in Poland.

PM Brown's Public Statement ---------------------------

3. (SBU) Prime Minister Brown stated at a press conference in Brussels September 17 that "I strongly support the decision that is being made by President Obama today." John Saltford told Poloff September 18 that he was not aware of any other public HMG reaction to President Obama's announcement. Visit London's Classified Website: XXXXXXXXXXXX edKingdom

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