Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 2/20/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= U-S / RUSSIA / MISSILE (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-272816

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Pentagon says it wants to examine a new European missile defense proposal presented to NATO by Russia. But as V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida reports from the Pentagon, U-S officials say they already see one major weakness in Moscow's plan.

TEXT: The Pentagon spokesman, Rear Admiral Craig Quigley, says U-S defense officials want to cooperate on missile defense issues and are eager to see details of the Russian proposal.

But in a preliminary assessment, Admiral Quigley says the Pentagon is pleased the plan recognizes there is a threat from missiles and weapons of mass destruction to Europe.

/// QUIGLEY ACTUALITY 1 ///

We're very heartened by the fact that the Russians, by this action, acknowledge that there is a very real missile and W-M-D (weapons of mass destruction) threat to Europe.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Still, the Pentagon spokesman says there is a major hole in the Russian proposal as it has been spelled out publicly so far.

/// QUIGLEY ACTUALITY 2 ///

I would point out however that this does not include any protection for the continental United States under the proposal as we know it.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

The United States wants to deploy a missile defense system to counter possible limited attacks against its own territory from rogue states like North Korea, Iran, or Iraq.

But Russia, China and some U-S allies oppose Washington's plan and charge it could lead to a renewed arms race.

The Pentagon spokesman has been asked specifically if the Russian proposal is an attempt to drive a wedge between the United States and its NATO allies. He says the United States will take the plan at face value and examine it honestly. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/JWH