A Proliferation Primer
Speech by Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS)
March 25, 1998
National Defense University Foundation
Breakfast Series on Missile Defense, Proliferation, and Arms Control
Opening Statement Senator Cochran opened by saying that the object of "The Proliferation Primer" was to focus attention on the serious challenge the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and their means of delivery, pose to U.S. national security interests in the post-Cold War world. He said that the primer was a result of information received during last year's hearings of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services. In order to meet this threat, Cochran said, it was imperative that the United States deploy a National Missile Defense (NMD) system as soon as technologically feasible. Therefore, he has introduced legislation to that effect, "The American Missile Protection Act of 1998 (S. 1806)."
"The American Missile Protection Act of 1998 (S.1806)"
Cochran then outlined the major provisions of the bill, saying that it contained six findings and stated U.S. missile defense policy. The findings were:(1) The threat of WMD delivered by long-range ballistic missiles is among the most serious issues facing the U.S. (2) The long-range ballistic missile threat to the United States is increasing. (3) The ability of the United States to anticipate the rate of progress in rogue ballistic missile programs is questionable. (4) The failure to prepare a defense against ballistic missiles could have grave security and foreign policy consequences for the United States. (5) It is imperative for the United States to be prepared for rogue nations acquiring long-range ballistic missiles armed with WMD. (6) The bill acknowledges that the United States has no defenses deployed against WMD delivered by long-range ballistic missiles and no policy to deploy such a NMD system.The bill concludes by stating: "It is the policy of the United States to deploy, as soon as technologically possible, a National Missile Defense system capable of defending the territory of the United States against limited ballistic missile attack (whether accidental, unauthorized, or deliberate)." He stated that this bill accomplishes two things:
"(1) It sends a clear message to any rogue state seeking ballistic missile delivery systems that America will not be vulnerable to these weapons indefinitely. (2) It affirms that the United States will take steps necessary to protect its citizens from missile attack."Cochran indicated that this is a bi-partisan bill, with Senator Inouye (D-HI) as the prime cosponsor. Additionally, Cochran said, he currently has a "dear colleague" letter circulating on the bill and has picked up a number of other cosponsors. Cochran said that he hopes to pick-up some additional Democratic cosponsors for S. 1806, put fears the Administration may put pressure on Democrats not to cosponsor the bill.
