A retired American Navy chief is coming to North Yorkshire to support the fight against the location of a US National Missile Defence (NMD) system at RAF Fylingdales.
The visit comes as Foreign Secretary Robin Cook was today arriving in Washington for top-level talks in the US.
Rear Admiral Eugene Carroll will speak at a public meeting in Whitby on Thursday, at the invitation of Yorkshire CND.
Under current US plans the controversial system, dubbed "Son Of Star Wars", would require the use of an early warning radar site at Fylingdales on the North York Moors - without providing protection to the UK.
Critics, thought to include European Nato members, fear it may drive Russia into a new pact with China in a bid to restore the balance of power.
Conservative leader William Hague has pledged to support the plan, but ministers have insisted they will not even consider whether to take part until firm proposals are put forward by the US.
Admiral Carroll was the first naval officer to serve as director of US military operations for all US forces in Europe and in the Middle East.
* The public meeting takes place at the Coliseum in Whitby on Thursday at 7.30pm and will also be attended by CND national chairman Dave Knight, who lives in North Yorkshire.
Updated: 10:35 Monday, February 05, 2001
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