FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Friday, July 26, 2006 For more information, please contact: Reed Byrum Tel: 864.242.1102 reed.byrum@att.net Kristie Bohm Tel: 864.242.1102 reed.byrum@att.net
	IFPA 4-YEAR STUDY OF MISSILE DEFENSES SHOWS VULNERABILITIES OF EAST & WEST COASTS, PORTS, GLOBE AGAINST TERRORISTS Study, Unveiled at SCRA, Supports Strategic Defenses to Prevent Global Threats CHARLESTON, SC, JULY 7, 2006—Former Ambassador Henry F. Cooper released today the results of a four-year study by the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis about U.S. missile defenses that details vulnerabilities of the West Coast, East Coast ports and the rest of the world against ballistic missile attacks by terrorist countries like North Korea. Among many recommendations, the study, sponsored by eight strategic institutes in Washington, D.C., and beyond, recommends adoption of defensive measures and strategic weaponry, including space-based defenses, by the United States and allies. Chair of the Board of High Frontier, Cooper is the former Director of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program and, under President Reagan, served as Ambassador and Negotiator with the Soviet Union on defense and space issues. Cooper spoke at the Trident Research Center of SCRA, which hosted this event as part of SCRA’s ongoing initiative to explore leading edge ideas. Cooper spoke as a private citizen, concerned by the vulnerability of the United States from missiles such as those recently tested by North Korea. As a global and regional leader, SCRA leads growth of the Knowledge Economy by collaborating to advance technology with research universities, like Clemson, USC and MUSC, industry consortia and private enterprise. “Most important of our observations is that the United States has no effective defense against ballistic missile attack – and absolutely none against terrorists who might purchase short-range ballistic missiles and launch them from ships in international water off our coasts at cities where 75 percent of Americans live,” Cooper said. “Our ground-based Patriot defenses against short-range missiles are not deployed to protect our costal regions and ports. Even if they were, they could not be deployed in sufficient numbers to provide any significant capability.” Cooper cited North Korea’s successful ballistic missile tests during the last week demonstrate the vulnerability of the United States. “There is a bigger story associated with North Korea’s successful tests of seven short- to long-range missiles, one of which could have reached Alaska. In addition to launching missiles, North Korea sells these short- and middle-range missiles to anyone with money – and they are precisely the missiles terrorists could buy and threaten more than 75 percent of U.S. citizens who live within 200 miles of our coasts,” Cooper said. Study Recommendations Among many commendations, the study recommends: Deployment of a multilayered missile defense system as an urgent national priority. Development of broad, public recognition that electromagnetic pulse resulting from nuclear detonations could have devastating consequences. Limitations of further development of ground-based missile defense (GMD) deployments. Expansion of sea-based defenses, based on the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Vertical Launch System (VLS) and Standard Missile (SM) program and acceleration of the U.S.-Japan SM-3 Block 2 missile program. Development and deployment of space-based defenses in the next 3-5 years. Strengthening of missile defense collaboration with allies, and; Creation of a vigorous, innovative and sustainable science and technology workforce. Vulnerability of Ports Citing the nation’s fourth largest port in Charleston, Cooper said American ports could be choked by sea-based missile launches by terrorists hundreds of miles offshore. Port security efforts by the Homeland Security Department to cease loading of threatening cargo abroad, to monitor traffic at sea and to improve inspections at U.S. ports still will not counter missiles launched at sea. Based on the flow rate of containers, the Charleston port is the second largest among ports along the East Coast. Up to eight million containers enter U.S. ports each year, of which only two percent on average are inspected. A SCUD-B or Cruise Missile fits into a 40-foot-long shipping container, and terrorists have demonstrated how to launch theses missiles from sea, Cooper said. These missiles could deliver a 270-pound weapon of mass destruction (WMD) from 200 miles off East Coast. Missiles launched from as far as 350 miles offshore count reach most coastal cities in the United States, Cooper said, citing North Korean tests on July 4 involved four ballistic missiles launch in the 300- to 600-mile range. Ambassador Cooper’s presentation was part of SCRA’s ongoing forums on relevant technology issues.