Norway's opposition to the US' plans to set up a rocket shield in Europe seemed to fall on deaf ears at last week's NATO meeting.

The Norwegian government remains opposed to the rocket shield, or missile defense, plan, claiming it brings back memories of the Cold War and could lead to a new military build-up after years of disarmament.

"We doubt the need for a rocket shield," said Defense Minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen. "Norway is against such a shield for long-range rockets."

That makes her the only defense minister within NATO to continue to express opposition, even though the US shield will cover only parts of NATO territory in Europe. Russia also remains firmly opposed to the rocket shield, with President Vladimir Putin also calling it a step backwards to a Cold War mentality.

The US is determined, though, to build up a shield that could deflect missiles fired from Iran and North Korea. It already has extracted agreements to build a shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Asked whether she's surprised that Norway is the only NATO member opposed to the rocket shield, Strøm-Erichsen replied, "Yes, perhaps a little." She claimed there is a lot of general opposition to the rocket shield plan within Europe, though, that wasn't reflected at the NATO meeting.

NATO can't block the US rocket shield. Any NATO member, including Norway, can veto plans, however, to tie a NATO rocket shield to the US shield. NATO is a consensus organization, and any veto can block a program.


Source (Norwegian): Aftenposten 12.02.2008