DATE=10/3/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=COHEN MISSILE DEFENSE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254609
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, ALASKA
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States successfully fly-tested a
key part of a national missile defense system
Saturday. Delighted Pentagon officials say the weapon
hit so hard, the target missile was reduced to atoms.
The test comes as U-S intelligence officials warn
there is a growing threat that North Korea and other
nations could develop ballistic missiles that could
reach America. As V-O-A's Jim Randle reports (from
Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska) critics say the
system costs too much and won't work.
TEXT: The United States has several missile defense
systems under study and development. The one tested
Saturday is the largest and would cover the entire
United States.
In its latest test the interceptor hit the target
missile more than 200-kilometers above the Pacific at
about 24-thousand kilometers per hour. The stunning
impact instantly changed the metal missile into a form
of energy known as a plasma.
Defense Secretary William Cohen says it took powerful
radar, sensors, and computers to essentially hit a
bullet with a bullet.
/// COHEN ACT ///
This test certainly is a positive development for us.
It is a testament to the kind of technology that we
are capable of developing and I think it is an
important milestone in this effort to conduct the
research development and the testing such as this.
/// END ACT ///
The one-hundred million dollar test is one of several
scheduled before July -- when the president is
expected to decide if the complex system will work and
if it's worth the billions of dollars it will cost.
The system is designed to destroy missiles launched by
rogue states or terrorists, not a barrage of warheads
from a major nuclear power.
Some critics say the Pentagon is not doing enough
tests of the complex and expensive system to make a
sound decision.
Meantime, Moscow complains a proposed national missile
defense system would violate the Anti-Ballistic
Missile Treaty between the United States and the
Soviet Union. Mr. Cohen says he and other top
officials are holding a series of meetings with
Russian officials to see if a compromise can be worked
out.
Mr. Cohen spoke at a news conference in Manila before
heading to Alaska on his way back to Washington.
(Signed)
NEB/jr/ENE-T/gm
03-Oct-1999 16:26 PM EDT (03-Oct-1999 2026 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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