Space

DATE=07/24/01

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

TITLE=SENATE-MISSILE DEFENSE

NUMBER=5-49840

BYLINE=JIM MALONE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The debate over President Bush's proposed missile defense system is heating up in the U-S Congress. On Tuesday, the Bush plan prompted a skeptical reaction from Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. National correspondent Jim Malone was there and has a report.

TEXT: Democrats have several concerns about the president's proposed missile defense system. First of all, they question whether it will work. Second, they fear the financial cost of the program will far outweigh the security benefits.

Most of all, though, Democrats believe that the Bush Administration's insistence on rapid testing and deployment of a missile defense system will effectively scrap the 1972 anti-ballistic missile treaty and will be seen as a threat by Russia.

Democrat Joseph Biden is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:

/// BIDEN ACT ///

I find it amazing that we are about to undertake a testing program that will potentially put us up against the A-B-M Treaty within a matter of months and we don't know whether or not those tests, which are planned within the next couple of months, will actually violate the A-B-M Treaty.

/// END ACT ///

Bush Administration officials say a special committee is considering whether continued testing of the missile defense system would violate the A-B-M Treaty and that their conclusion will be announced soon.

But administration officials also leave little doubt that the president is committed to quick action on missile defense, with or without cooperation from the Russians.

John Bolton is Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security:

/// BOLTON ACT ///

The president, I think, described it quite well yesterday when he said time is of the essence and that while we hope, expect and are optimistic for cooperation with the Russians, the president is determined to have an effective missile defense system. If we can do it together, that would be great. But if we can't, then we will do it ourselves.

/// END ACT ///

Supporters of the missile defense system say its main advantage would be protection against an attack from a rogue state or terrorist group.

The top Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jesse Helms, says the lack of a missile defense system makes the United States vulnerable:

/// HELMS ACT ///

It is an open invitation to nations to obtain ballistic missiles to exploit the failure of the United States to defend the American people and that, I think, is why we must develop missile defenses because that, Mr. Chairman, in my judgement, will make North Korean and Iranian ballistic missiles a waste of time and money for them.

/// END ACT ///

But some Democrats, including Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, question that argument:

/// KERRY ACT ///

It is very hard to understand how a country like North Korea or Iran would purposely send one missile or two our way with a trail inviting obliteration on their part, where they have so many other methods to injure this country.

/// END ACT ///

With Democrats now in control of the U-S Senate, chances for outright approval of the president's missile defense proposal have slipped somewhat. But many Democrats favor a more limited and less costly missile defense system, suggesting at least the possibility of agreement on a compromise plan somewhere down the line. (Signed)

NEB/JBM/FC