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ISLES MP Alistair Carmichael has expressed his concerns after failing to obtain reassurance from the Government that the Northern Isles are not to be considered as a base for an American
missile defence system.
Mr Carmichael first became concerned last October when the Polish newspaper Trybuna published an article which stated that it would make strategic sense to site a deterrent base in either
northern Norway or the Northern Isles.
Orkney was specifically mentioned but the Northern Isles tag suggested Shetland would also be considered as a suitable place to intercept missiles launched from the Middle East and South
Asia.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Mr Carmichael asked Defence Secretary Des Browne to elaborate on the issue,.
Mr Carmichael said: "The Secretary of State was good enough to tell me in a telephone conversation last October that the Northern Isles would not be considered as a base for a nuclear
deterrent. Can he confirm today that neither Orkney nor Shetland is being considered by the United Kingdom government in relation to an installation of this nature?"
Mr Browne replied: "I can say to the honourable gentleman that I know of no change in the information that I gave him when I last spoke to him."
Mr Carmichael said: "I am disappointed that the Defence Secretary has not been more forthcoming on this issue. His reaction would say to me that he perhaps knows more than he is prepared to
divulge."
Mr Browne said: "As I have told the House, no sites are being considered in our very preliminary discussions in relation to the siting of any nuclear defence."
Mr Carmichael will table a series of questions in the House of Commons in relation to the siting of a nuclear base in the Northern Isles.
Mr Carmichael said: "The questions I shall be putting to the House are quite broad in their scope at present, but there are indications that Britain might be interested. I had hoped for a
categorical denial, but did not get one. I do feel slightly uneasy about this situation and I will keep picking away at it.
"I have never understood what benefit there can be to the UK in becoming part of a system that defends another nation while merely making ourselves a target. It has been described as using a
bullet to hit a bullet.
"I shall continue to keep a very close eye on government plans in this regard to ensure that the communities of Orkney and Shetland do not get bounced into something which they do not want
to be part of."
l.friedlander@shetland-times.co.uk
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