Clinton defends new U.S. approach to missile defense

    The criticism of Obama's plan about missile defense is "not yet connected to the facts. We are not, quote, 'shelving' missile defense. We are deploying missile defense sooner than the Bush administration planned to do so," Clinton said in a speech at the Brookings Institution.

    Defending Obama's decision, Clinton said that "we believe this is a decision that will leave America stronger and more capable of defending our troops, our interests and our allies."

    "We will deploy missile defense sooner than the previous program. We will be able to swiftly counter the threat posed by Iran's short- and medium-range ballistic missiles."

    The top U.S. diplomat also pledged to continue cooperation with Poland and the Czech Republic, both had been central to the previous missile defense plan crafted by the Bush White House; Kazinform cites Xinhua.

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