Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=05/19/2001

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-276217

TITLE=U-S/RUSSIA TALKS (S-ONLY)

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov ending a visit to Washington says he is unconvinced by Bush administration arguments for deploying a missile-defense system. The Ivanov mission did produce an agreement for a meeting between President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin next month in Slovenia. V-O-A's David Gollust has details from the White House.

TEXT: Mr. Ivanov told reporters before flying back to Moscow that the two sides have agreed to continue dialogue on among other things possible deep reductions in their offensive nuclear arsenals.

However, the Russian foreign minister said the Bush administration has failed to convince his government that the United States faces enough of a threat to justify a missile defense shield, and the resultant scrapping of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

Bush aides have made clear that the defense system they envision aimed mainly against so-called rogue states - would require amending or voiding the treaty, which Mr. Ivanov said Russia still sees as an "effective tool" in promoting strategic stability.

Mr. Ivanov met here with President Bush Friday, and they agreed to move up - by a month the first face-to-face meeting between Mr. Bush and Russian President Putin. The leaders will meet in the Slovenian capital, Ljubjana, June 16th at the end of a five-nation European trip by Mr. Bush. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/TDW