Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=05/18/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-276201

TITLE=U-S / RUSSIA (S / 2ND UPDATE)

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE= STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to meet for the first time next month in Slovenia and explore ways to overcome differences over U-S plans to build a national missile defense system. V-O-A Correspondent Nick Simeone reports the announcement came after Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov's first meetings in Washington with officials of the Bush administration.

TEXT: Presidents Bush and Putin will meet in Slovenia on June 16th in what will be Mr. Bush's first get-together with his Russian counterpart as president.

Washington and Moscow are in deep disagreement over U-S plans to pursue a national missile defense, with Russia strongly opposed to a system that it says would break the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty.

At a news conference with Secretary of State Colin Powell Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov admitted the kind of threats that exist now were not around 30 years ago when the treaty was negotiated. But he says such threats must be clearly defined before a system can be developed to respond. He spoke through a translator.

/// IVANOV TRANSLATOR ACT ///

What we're trying to do is together to define what kinds of threats we're talking about, what kinds of challenges, and what kinds of means and measures we have at our disposal to find solutions.

/// END ACT ///

Secretary of State Colin Powell says Washington will continue consulting with Russia and U-S allies on missile defense.

/// POWELL ACT ///

And then at the time when we think there has been enough consultation or we've reached agreements with others, then we will act on those agreements or act on what we believe are our best interests at that time.

/// END ACT ///

And, he says he expects a vigorous exchange of views on the issue when Presidents Bush and Putin meet next month. (Signed)

NEB/NJS/JWH