http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1547082006

Thu 19 Oct 2006

US insists it has right to keep its enemies out of space

TERENCE HUNT

PRESIDENT George Bush has signed an order asserting the right of the United States to deny adversaries access to space for hostile purposes.

Mr Bush also said the US would oppose the development of treaties or other restrictions that seek to prohibit or limit American access to or use of space.

The provisions were contained in the first revision of US space policy in nearly ten years. The order, signed more than a month ago, was not publicly announced, but unclassified details were posted on a government website.

"Freedom of action in space is as important to the United States as air power and sea power," the policy says. "In order to increase knowledge, discovery, economic prosperity, and to enhance the national security, the United States must have robust, effective and efficient space capabilities."

The policy says space systems should have rights of passage without interference and that the US would view any deliberate interference with its space systems as an infringement on its rights.

"The United States considers space capabilities - including the ground and space segments and supporting links - vital to its national interests," the policy said.

"Consistent with this policy, the US will: preserve its rights, capabilities, and freedom of action in space; dissuade or deter others from either impeding those rights or developing capabilities intended to do so; take those actions necessary to protect its space capabilities; respond to interference; and deny, if necessary, adversaries the use of space capabilities hostile to US national interests."

The White House said the policy did not call for the deployment of weapons in space. "This policy emphasises that the United States is committed to peaceful uses of space by all nations and that space systems enjoy the right of free passage," a spokesman said.

"Protection of space assets does not imply some sort of forceful action."

Last updated: 19-Oct-06 01:24 BST