No Evidence Weapons Acquired by Any Terrorist Group
According to BBC report, Hoon told MPs the possibility of terrorists acquiring weapons of mass destruction was a cause for "real anxiety" and something "we would have to guard against very seriously".
However, he stressed, there was no evidence that any terrorist group had so far acquired such weapons and the prospect of terrorists acquiring ballistic missiles was not considered a major threat.
Hoon on Threat by Four Countries
Hoon was briefing MPs on the threat posed by four countries identified by Britain as "states of concern" -- Iraq, Iran, Libya and the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK).
"There are clearly some states who would be deterred by the fact that the UK possesses nuclear weapons and has the willingness and ability to use them in appropriate circumstances," he told the Commons defense select committee.
Hoon refused to be drawn on the extent of Britain's involvement in the development of the US missile defense.
No Request from US Received
The US has made clear that it wants to see territory of its friends and allies protected from emerging missile threats
In a statement, he told the committee: "We have so far received no requests from the United States for the use of sites in the UK for missile defense purposes. We do not know exactly what might be involved in any such requests nor when they might be made."
"If we are asked to make such a decision we will of course do so on the basis of our own national interest," he added.
He said that would include Britain's own national security, which includes the "security interests of our closest ally".
( March 21, 2002)
