Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=2/22/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-272917

TITLE=BUSH / RUSSIA (L)

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

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INTRO: President Bush is welcoming Russia's proposal for a missile defense system, saying Moscow recognizes the new threats of the post-cold war era. V-O-A Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from the White House.

TEXT: After months of sharply criticizing U-S plans for a missile shield, Russian officials unveiled their own broad outline for a European anti-missile system during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General George Robertson this week in Moscow.

Speaking at his first news conference since coming to office a month ago, Mr. Bush welcomed the Russian move.

/// BUSH ACTUALITY ///

I was pleased to see comments from Russian leadership that talked about missile defense. Their words indicate that they recognize there are new threats in the post-cold war era, threats that require theater-based anti-ballistic missile systems. I felt those words were encouraging.

/// END ACT ///

Pentagon officials have responded in a similar fashion, although they say the proposal does not go far enough because it would not cover the United States.

Mr. Bush says he looks forward to getting clarification of Moscow's position when he holds his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. No date has been scheduled for such talks, although the two men are expected to meet at the summit of major industrialized nations and Russia in Italy in July.

National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice says that while the United States wants to consult with Russia about missile defense, such cooperation will depend on Moscow doing more to curb its efforts to help Iran acquire weapons technology.

/// RICE ACTUALITY ///

If in fact Russia is engaged in activities that are helping countries to acquire weapons of mass destruction or missile technology against which the shield is actually working, this is not going to be a very cooperative relationship. So proliferation behavior and what we can do in a cooperative manner is very much linked here. And I think that is a point that we will want to make to the Russians.

/// END ACT ///

On a separate issue, President Bush says he does not believe the arrest of a veteran agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation on charges of spying for Moscow will hurt U-S - Russian ties.

The President reiterated his deep concern over the arrest of agent Robert Philip Hanssen this week, and said he looks forward to the findings of a probe into the case led by former F-B-I Director William Webster. (Signed)

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