Space

DATE= 7/14/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= PENTAGON/MISSILE DEFENSE (S)

NUMBER=2-278237

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Pentagon officials say a missile interceptor has soared into the skies over a tiny Pacific island and destroyed a mock nuclear warhead traveling through space. V-O-A Pentagon correspondent Alex Belida reports

the Bush administration appears to have scored a successful direct hit with the first missile defense test in over a year.

TEXT: ///SFX - CHEERING FROM KWAJALEIN ISLAND CONTROL ROOM///

The cheers in the control room on Kwajalein Atoll followed a bright white flash. That indicated the so-called "kill vehicle" interceptor fired from the Pacific atoll had successfully destroyed a mock nuclear warhead launched some 20 minutes earlier aboard a ballistic missile from California.

It was the first U-S missile defense test in over a year. Two of the three previous intercept attempts had failed. But the Bush administration says it is committed to an ambitious test program.

Reporters were able to monitor the event via video and audio transmissions into a conference room at the Pentagon. (Signed)

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