WASHINGTON (AFP) Dec 11, 2000 - A group of retired US military commanders protested Monday a proposed US-Russian agreement on prior notification of ballistic missile launches, saying it would likely impede development of US "space power."

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Russian Foreign Minister were expected to sign the pre-launch notification memorandum of understanding later this week in Brussels, the group said.

There was no immediate comment from the State Department.

The proposed launch notification regime is part of a broader initiative to reduce the risk that a misunderstood launch could lead to an accidental nuclear exchange. The two countries also have been discussing setting up a joint missile launch early warning center in Moscow.

But in an open letter to President Bill Clinton, 19 former military commanders said prior notification of missile and space launches would run counter to ensuring unimpeded US access to space.

"Operational security and counter-intelligence considerations, as well as 21st century military doctrines calling for routine and expeditious space launch capabilities, strongly argue against our assuming such obligations," they said.

Urging the administration to give force to a "space power policy," the former officers said the United States needed "the legal latitude to do so."

"Insofar as the new MOU (memorandum of understanding) would deny the United States such latitude, it is incomptabile with our long-term national security and economic interests and should be treated accordingly," the letter said.

It also urged development of cheaper launch capabilities, arguing that US ability to exploit space has been constrained by "our reliance upon enormously expensive, time-consuming and labor intensive launch systems and facilities."