03 October 1997
[EXCERPT] TRANSCRIPT: STATE DEPARTMENT NOON BRIEFING, OCTOBER 3, 1997
BRIEFER: JAMES P. RUBIN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1997 INDEX ARMS CONTROL 11-12 Dept. of Defense Laser Test/Not a Treaty Violation/Impact on Passage of START II by Russia ..................... Q: How does the State Department feel about the Pentagon's decision to go ahead with the anti-satellite test? RUBIN: Well, as you know, Carol, I have some familiarity with this issue over the years and there is always going to be discussions back and forth on a subject like this. But having checked with our people, I have no reason to believe that we here in the Department had any specific problem with this test. The reason is that the kind of test that it is doesn't pose any problem with becoming an anti-ballistic missile system and this experiment does not violate any arms control agreement. As you know, there is no anti-satellite treaty, other international law, or US domestic law. It is an experiment. It is designed to collect data that will help improve computer models used for planning protection measures for US satellites. This is not a test of an anti-satellite system. This experiment will not destroy the satellite, will not result in any orbital debris, and will not pose any risk to other satellites. Furthermore, this laser, as I said, does not have an ABM capability. We, therefore, see, no reason why this experiment should cause any problems with the Russians or any other country. I can't rule out that officials in the State Department might have asked some questions, but this is an experiment that we don't believe is anything but a good use of research and development funds. Q: Well, as the Secretary has argued in the case of the Middle East, where there is a climate of distrust or at least there is a problem or some tension, sometimes even things that seem to be in other situations maybe benign, in certain environments, they are viewed more as greater tension-producers. And I just wondered, given the fact that you're having so much trouble getting the START II treaty through the Russian Duma and that there are elements in the political ferment of Russia that are concerned about the ABM treaty and what the United States may be doing in terms of missile defenses, do you believe this is the right time for this kind of a test? RUBIN: Today is, what, Friday? Last Friday the Secretary of State and the Foreign Minister of Russia signed two arms control agreements -- one very important one on the ABM treaty and how to make sure that anti-tactical ballistic missile defenses were permitted and strategic defenses were prohibited. We have been working very, very well with the Russians. There is no crisis of confidence in the relationship between the U.S. and Russia. Frankly, Secretary Albright finds her ability to work very closely with Foreign Minister Primakov one of the true surprises and something she's very pleased about in her job. So there isn't the kind of environment in this case that would lead to the analogy that you were suggesting some might have. So we don't have trouble with this test. As I said, it's not a test of an anti-satellite system. It's an experiment that will not destroy the satellite, will not result in any debris, will not pose any risk, and we see no reason why it should be a problem, especially in an environment where things are moving forward with the Russians on subjects like the ABM Treaty. .............. (end transcript)
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