DoD News Briefing
July 10, 2000
Presenter: Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen
(En Route to Beijing, China)
Q: The Chinese have been extremely unhappy about, not only national missile defense but also U. S. plans for theater missile defenses in Asia. In light of this test, does that take some of the steam out of that issue? Will you be telling the Chinese that this is something that, whether it's this year or next year, is definitely coming out?
Cohen: What I will say is that there continues to be a proliferation of missile technology which will pose a threat to the security of the United States and that we will continue our programs of researching and developing a theater missile defense system and a national defense system. If we want to do it within the context, if the Administration wants to do it within the context of the ABM Treaty to the extent that we can modify it to accommodate it, but as long as the threats continue to exist, then we're going to have to have defenses against it.
Q: Are you going to talk to China about U. S. concerns that they're proliferating missile technology, especially to Pakistan and, I believe, Libya?
Cohen: We will raise the issue of proliferation with the Chinese, as the State Department did prior to my meetings. Yes.
Q: I mean what are you going to add to what the State Department just did?
Cohen: I would follow on what the State Department has already indicated that we need to curb the proliferation of missile technology. China has agreed to the principles. They haven't signed the Missile Technology Control Regime, but they have agreed to abide by it as such. And we will continue to insist that that occur.
Q: Which countries are you most worried about their proliferation of missile technology going to/from China?
Cohen: Generally speaking, we are concerned about the transfer of technology to Middle East countries and to Iran specifically, but to the extent that Pakistan continues to acquire technology, it could contribute to increasing tensions. Basically, what we're trying to do is restrict the dissemination of this kind of technology to many other countries.
Q: So, are you saying that China is proliferating to Iran as well?
Cohen: No, I'm not saying that. I'm saying that that's an area of concern to us, and that's an issue I've raised in the past. I was concerned about the transfer of anti-ship cruise missile technology to the Chinese, which I've raised with them in the past. They have abided by that agreement that they made the last time I was there as far as the shipment of cruise missiles to the Iranians. They also agreed to suspend the transfer of nuclear technology to Iranians. So, I will continue to raise those issues and see if we can continue cooperation.
Q: Have they lived up to those commitments that they made the last time you were here? I believe it was cruise missiles and nuclear technology.
Cohen: To the best of my information, yes.
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