Canada edged closer to joining a proposed U.S. missile defense system on Thursday when it agreed to a request from Washington to link the controversial network with NORAD, the two countries' joint air defenses. But Ottawa insisted the move did not automatically mean Canada would sign up for the U.S. ballistic missile shield, an idea that is unpopular with some in the Liberal government. The initial U.S. system, costing more than $50 billion over the next five years, is designed to shoot down inbound ballistic missiles from North Korea and other foes. The first stages are due to be deployed later this year. The United States eventually plans to run the system from the binational North American Aerospace Defense Command, and the Canadian military fears that if Ottawa stays out of the missile defense system, Washington will marginalize Canada by letting NORAD wither. Defence Minister Bill Graham said Ottawa had agreed that NORAD information about incoming missiles could be shared with U.S. Northern Command, which will initially be running the missile shield. --MORE 2318 Local Time 2018 GMT
