Obama to push for Central Europe missile shield[fr][de] 

The United States will develop anti-missile defences as long as an Iranian nuclear threat persists, and North Korea must be made to change after its rocket launch, President Obama said in Prague in a major speech focusing on nuclear non-proliferation. 

The issue grabbed the headlines yesterday after North Korea launched a long-range missile, drawing condemnation from the international community, although Pyongyang said it had only put a satellite in orbit. 

During a visit to the Czech capital on Sunday, Obama said Washington would continue with the plan as long as Iran was developing its nuclear programme. 

"As long as the threat from Iran persists, we will go forward with the missile system," Obama said in his speech. 

"If the Iranian threat is eliminated, we will have a stronger basis for security, and the driving force for missile construction in Europe will be removed." 

Earlier Gary Samore, White House coordinator for arms control, said the North Korean launch meant missile defence would remain a priority. 

"The North Korean test illustrates the importance of continuing to develop missile defence in order to protect [...] both the country and our allies in Asia," Samore told reporters. 

Samore said international unity would be the most effective way to confront North Korea, saying that its rocket launch was not only a threat to neighbours South Korea and Japan but also "damages" Russia and China. 

A US official said later that Obama told Polish leaders the United States will continue research and development of its missile defence shield, "The president underscored his support for missile defence provided that it is cost effective and provided that the threat against which it is designed, namely Iran, remained," the official said. "The president said he intends to continue research and development of missile defence." 

The Czechs and Poles have signed treaties with Washington over the missile defence plan, angering their former Soviet master Russia. 

Czech government says shield necessary 

A majority of Czechs oppose the missile defence plan, and the Socialist opposition says it will make the Central European country a target rather than protect it. 

But the outgoing Czech government has made the plan a priority and says it is key to countering Russia's continued influence in the EU's eastern wing. 

The Czech Foreign Ministry said the US comments confirmed its belief that the missile defence plan was needed. 

Moscow has accused the United States of trying to meddle in its former sphere of influence. It has threatened to point nuclear weapons at Prague and Warsaw and to station missiles in its European enclave Kaliningrad. 

US White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said North Korea's launch was not unexpected. 

"Had at any moment we determined that this launch posed a threat to the United States of America, we would have taken whatever steps were necessary to ensure the safety and security of American people."