Suburban and Wayne Times Article

Two members of the British Parliament, two U.S. generals, journalist Bill Gertz, a defense writer for The Washington Times who is known to have better intelligence sources than the White House, and Rear Adm. Rodney Rempt, author of the Aegis Missile Defense Program, are just some of many academic experts, uniformed and civilian defense leaders and journalists who will join U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon for a national conference on national security and defense in King of Prussia today, June 28, and tomorrow.

Congressman Weldon (R-PA) along with the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis will lead the two-day conference at the Radisson Valley Forge Hotel in King of Prussia.

Weldon, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, is the leading missile defense expert in the House. The goal of the conference, titled "Defending the Northeast, the Nation and America's Allies from Ballistic Missile Attack," is designed to educate the American people about "national security threats of the 21st century."

"Ballistic missiles are spreading like wildfire across the globe," Weldon said Tuesday. "Some 34 countries today have ballistic missiles, and 14 countries produce and/or export ballistic missiles and related technology. Iraq, Iran, North Korea and other rogue states now have missiles that directly threaten American troops overseas and our allies, and are rapidly developing the capability to threaten us here at home.

"The conference will bring together experts from political, military and technology disciplines as we discuss the critical topic of missile defense to citizens who are concerned about the safety of our country," he said. "The group of distinguished guests will analyze and debate the threats we face, ABM Treaty issues, technology options, proposed systems, progress made to date, and allied support.

"It is especially fitting," Weldon said, "that we are holding this conference in Valley Forge - the defensive outpost for George Washington's Continental Army during the Revolutionary War."

In 1999, Weldon authored legislation that made it the policy of the United States to deploy an effective missile defense system. Weldon's measure passed both the House and the Senate by a veto-proof margin and was signed into law on July 22, 1999. Weldon, who is an expert in missile defense, missile technology and weapons proliferation, has been an outspoken advocate of deployment of a comprehensive missile shield for the United States and its allies.

The Brandywine Peace Community plans to protest President George Bush's plans for "Star Wars" missile defense and militarization of space. The protest will take place outside the hotel where Weldon will be holding his conference.
The Star Wars protestors will hold banners and signs, toll a bell, blow whistles and wear "Specter of Darth Vader" costumes.

The Brandywine Peace Community, which is located in Swarthmore, was founded in 1977 and has been focusing its peace efforts and nonviolent direct action on Lockheed Martin, which has a facility in King of Prussia and, claims the activists, is the world's largest weapons-producing corporation since 1995.

On Thursday, June 28, the conference will kick off with a keynote address delivered by Weldon at the hotel at 8:30 a.m. The day's events include morning and afternoon sessions, a reception at 6 p.m. and dinner and a speaker from 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.

On Friday, June 29, the morning session begins at 8:30 and continues until adjournment at 3 p.m.
For information or to attend, call Bud DeFlaviis at 202-225-2011 or 215-588-7500.

©The Suburban and Wayne Times 2002