DATE=9/5/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PENTAGON/MISSILE DEFENSE (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266164
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S Defense Department officials seem
undisturbed by President Bill Clinton's announcement
last Friday that he is leaving to his successor a
decision on whether to deploy a controversial national
missile defense system. V-O-A Correspondent Alex
Belida reports from the Pentagon testing will go
ahead.
TEXT: Pentagon officials say the president's
announcement came as no great surprise. They point
to two key test failures this year and newly projected
delays putting the eventual deployment date for any
missile defense system six years or more into the
future.
Still, these officials say research, development and
testing efforts will go ahead. Defense Secretary
William Cohen vows such efforts will proceed, as he
puts it, "aggressively." Even Mr. Clinton says he
wants a continued program of testing and development
that is, as he puts it, "robust."
Questions remain on when the next test of a missile
interceptor will take place. Sources at the Pentagon
indicate no announcement on a new test date will be
made before November's presidential elections.
/// OPT /// That is because the proposed missile
defense system, along with the overall readiness of
America's armed forces, has become an important
campaign issue. Republican candidate George W. Bush
says he would deploy an effective system at the
earliest possible date. He contends Mr. Clinton's
decision to defer to his successor on whether to go
ahead is another sign that the president and Vice
President Al Gore have failed to strengthen U-S
defenses.
/// OPT /// Mr. Gore, the Democratic candidate in the
coming election, says more time will allow for more
testing. /// END OPT ///
Published news reports have suggested diplomatic
concerns played a critical role in Mr. Clinton's
decision. Russia and China are among the nations that
have spoken out strongly against the deployment of any
missile defense system by the United States.
According to the New York Times, a classified U-S
intelligence report has warned deployment could prompt
China to expand its overall nuclear missile arsenal.
Russia could respond by placing multiple warheads on
its missiles now carrying only one.
But Pentagon officials note that in his speech last
week, the President said no nation can ever have a
veto over American security.
The proposed system would involve some 100 missile
interceptors based in Alaska coupled with
sophisticated radar systems. It would be designed to
protect the United States against possible missile
attacks from so-called "rogue" states like Iran, Iraq
or North Korea. (Signed)
NEB/BEL/JP
05-Sep-2000 16:11 PM LOC (05-Sep-2000 2011 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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