'It is unlikely an enemy would attack Yorkshire'

THE Evening Press has been to the heart of the United States military establishment to voice North Yorkshire's fears about the Son of Star Wars project.

A senior Pentagon official sought to reassure residents that "no decision had been made" over the possible extension of listening bases at Fylingdales, on the North York Moors, and Menwith Hill, near Harrogate.

Senior Pentagon spokesman on missile defence Lieutenant-Colonel Rick Lehner, speaking to the Evening Press in the U.S. capital, said that a decision was still "years away" and was dependent on the success of various missile tests.

But these claims were challenged by a leading Washington-based defence analyst.

Dr John Pike, head of Global Security - an international think tank on defence issues - claimed it was a "done deal" that the Bush administration would make full use of the two installations in a future missile defence programme.

Despite opposition in Britain, Dr Pike said President Bush "fully expected" Tony Blair to comply with its plans.

The Evening Press is strongly against the Son of Star Wars project, and has already urged Prime Minister Tony Blair to reject any proposals to extend the use of Menwith Hill and Fylingdales.

We feel that the system could potentially make North Yorkshire a number-one nuclear target in any attack on the U.S. or its allies.

Lt Col Lehner said Fylingdales had been "vital" as a mainstay of the early warning system for more than 30 years.

"We don't yet know how the two bases are going to fit into the future plans until a full missile testing program has been completed. My message to the people of North Yorkshire is rest assured, no decision has been made on using any facility for missile defence.

"Even if Fylingdales and Menwith Hill have something to do with missile defence, they would be an unlikely target.

"It is highly implausible that an enemy with limited missiles would use them on Yorkshire when they could hit LA or Chicago.

"September 11 gave more emphasis to the fact that a lot of people out there wish us ill."

Dr Pike said Fylingdales and Menwith Hill could be more susceptible to ground attacks.

"The longest-range missile of any rogue state would still not reach anywhere near North Yorkshire," he said.

"The most likely response would be commando attacks on the ground."

Dr Pike predicts President Bush will make an announcement on the two bases within the next two years. "It's a done deal that they will use Fylingdales and Menwith Hill," he said. "It's a question of when, not if. The Bush administration is much more devoted to secrecy than the previous one was.

"They will say as little as possible if they can get away with it.

"The U.S. Government assumes the British Government would let them extend the use of the bases."

Updated: 11:13 Tuesday, February 26, 2002