Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 07/18/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RUSSIA/PUTIN (L)

NUMBER=2-278369

BYLINE=LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia has no plans to team up with China in a joint response if the United States unilaterally abandons the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty. The announcement came today (Wednesday) during a wide-ranging Kremlin news conference. Larry James reports from Moscow.

TEXT: Mr. Putin said, while a new friendship treaty signed this week with China provides for a joint action, there are no plans for such a move. He said "in practice, we do not plan joint activities in this sphere, including with China."

Both Russia and China adamantly oppose American plans to deploy a missile defense system. They say such a missile shield would violate the 1972 A-B-M treaty and lead to a new arms race.

Washington says the treaty is a relic of the Cold War and should be abandoned. The United States recently carried out a successful test of its missile shield by downing an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile.

The American missile defense plans are likely to be the main topic of discussion at a meeting this weekend of the seven leading industrial nations plus Russia in Genoa, Italy. (SIGNED)

NEB/LDJ/GE/MAR