Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=05/10/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RUSSIA / U-S MISSILE DEFENSE (L-O)

NUMBER=2-275878

BYLINE=SONJA PACE

DATELINE=MOSCOW

INTERNET=

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///// DELEGATION EST. ARRIVAL: 18 UTC, 2 PM EDT /////

INTRO: A U-S delegation is to discuss American plans for a missile defense shield with Russian officials Friday in Moscow. Russia opposes the idea and is reported to be preparing counter-proposals. V-O-A's Sonja Pace has details from Moscow.

TEXT: The American delegation, headed by Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz is scheduled to meet with Russian officials in a one-day session. They are to explain the American initiative and try to allay Russian concerns.

President Bush announced that the United States plans to build a missile defense shield to protect itself, its friends, and allies from missile attacks by what he called rogue states such as Iraq, Libya, or North Korea. President Bush did say the United States would not go it alone and would discuss the initiative with its allies and other nations, such as Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Washington's willingness to engage in a dialogue, but he warned against scrapping existing arms control mechanisms.

The Russians oppose the missile defense initiative and want to maintain the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which Russia and the United States signed in 1972. President Bush has said that treaty is outdated.

Even some allies have reservations about the U-S plan. They fear it will spark an international arms race.

Moscow has proposed its own missile defense shield for Europe as an alternative to the American initiative, but few details have emerged.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Alexander Yakovenko says the Russian delegation will listen to what the U-S envoys have to say, ask questions, and present its own ideas on how to strengthen strategic stability.

U-S envoys are visiting countries in Europe and Asia to explain the American position and try to enlist support for the missile defense plan. (SIGNED)

NEB/SP/GE/RAE