DATE=3/21/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT (L-ONLY)
TITLE=U-S - PROLIFERATION
NUMBER=2-260454
BYLINE=LETA HONG FINCHER
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The head of the U-S Central Intelligence
Agency says the world faces a greater danger today
from the proliferation of weapons than it did at the
end of the Cold War. As V-O-A's Leta Hong Fincher
reports, the U-S Congress is exploring ways to counter
the new threats to the country's security.
TEXT: The Director of the C-I-A, George Tenet,
says that over fifty countries are of concern as
suppliers or conduits of weapons of mass destruction.
New technology is spreading quickly and more countries
are able to acquire and distribute weapons. Mr. Tenet
says these factors put the world at a greater risk of
surprise attack than ever before.
/// TENET ACT ///
We face a world where technology develops and
spreads at the speed of light and becomes
obsolete just as fast, but also a world in which
nation states are still important players, but
nation states are no longer the only players,
particularly in the context of proliferation,
where corporations, non-governmental
organizations, terrorist groups, organized crime
groups and even single individuals can have a
very important impact.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Tenet spoke at a Senate hearing on proliferation
threats to the United States. He said there is
increasing missile development in Iran, North Korea,
Pakistan, and India, as well as a growing threat from
biological and chemical weapons. Mr. Tenet also said
rogue nations and terrorists are becoming more
sophisticated in their ability to hide illicit arms
activities, and more self-sufficient in producing
material for weapons.
The hearings on proliferation are taking place as
President Clinton prepares to decide on a
controversial national missile defense system.
Senator John Kerry responded to Mr. Tenet's testimony
by warning that the United States must not rush to
develop a defense system that would alter the world's
strategic balance. Mr. Kerry said the missile defense
system might have an opposite effect, and escalate
existing tensions.
/// KERRY ACT ///
What is defense, if it is sufficiently strong in
defense, can actually become offence. And I
don't think we've worked that through
sufficiently and we need to.
/// END ACT ///
President Clinton says he may wait until near the end
of the year to decide whether or not to deploy the
proposed anti-missile system. (Signed)
NEB/LHF/gm
21-Mar-2000 19:27 PM EDT (22-Mar-2000 0027 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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