DATE=9/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=GORE-BUSH MISSILE DEFENSE (L)
NUMBER=2-266066
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Both candidates for president of the United
States are responding to President Clinton's
announcement that he will leave a final decision on
deployment of a missile defense system to his
successor. As V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports, just
minutes after Mr. Clinton spoke, Democrat Al Gore and
Republican George W. Bush were making their views
known.
TEXT: George W. Bush accuses the Clinton
administration of stalling on a vital defense system.
He says he is willing to lead where President Clinton
and Vice President Gore have failed.
In a written statement, the Texas Governor vows, if
elected, to deploy an effective missile defense system
at the earliest possible date. He says it is needed
to protect Americans from accidental attacks, or -- in
his words -- blackmail from rogue nations.
But Vice President Gore says the delay is wise. He
says more testing is needed ... and that could take
time.
/// GORE ACT ///
I am supportive of national missile defense.
And there are 16 additional intercept tests
already scheduled. One could decide to proceed
with deployment at any time during the testing
process once fully convinced the technologies
are ready.
/// END ACT ///
In an interview with radio reporters covering his
campaign, Mr. Gore said a delay will also provide more
time to convince foreign governments the concept is
sound. He made specific mention of Russian and
Chinese objections. They insist such a system would
violate existing arms treaties. But Mr. Gore said
only small modifications to these agreements are
needed.
/// GORE ACT TWO ///
I don't believe that the system we are currently
pursuing need lead to the end of the anti-
ballistic missile treaty. I think it is
important to talk about the limited nature of it
with the Russians. At the end of the day, I
would not allow their opposition -- by itself --
to dissuade me from deploying it.
/// END ACT ///
Vice President Gore said defending America's security
would be his highest priority. But when asked which
specific foreign policy issue would top his list of
concerns -- the Mideast peace process, Russia,
concerns about China -- he said they are all important
and none should be ignored. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/JP
01-Sep-2000 15:31 PM LOC (01-Sep-2000 1931 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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