Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=08/13/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RUSSIA / RUMSFELD (L-UPD)

NUMBER=2-279265

BYLINE=LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// UPDATES 2-279254 WITH NEW INFORMATION ///

INTRO: Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeated his country's opposition to American plans to scrap the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (A-B-M) Treaty and build a missile defense system. His comments followed talks with visiting Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Larry James has more from Moscow.

TEXT: President Putin was blunt in his rejection of the Bush Administration's desire to scrap the A-B-M treaty. But the Russian leader was also optimistic about potential cuts in nuclear arsenals.

/// ACT PUTIN - IN RUSSIAN THEN FADE UNDER ///

Mr. Putin said, "you know our attitude toward the A-B-M treaty." He said it is linked unconditionally to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties, Start 1 and Start 2. But he also said Russia is willing to negotiate nuclear force reductions as he and President Bush outlined at their summit in Italy last month.

Washington wants to scrap the A-B-M treaty so that it can go ahead with plans to build a national missile-defense system. Mr. Rumsfeld said earlier that the United States and Russia no longer need nuclear deterrence agreements like the A-B-M treaty.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Mr. Rumsfeld failed to persuade Russia of the need to scrap the treaty. Moscow strongly opposes U-S plans to build a missile-defense shield, saying that would violate the 1972 accord. President Bush says the two countries must move beyond what he calls an outdated agreement.

Mr. Rumsfeld acknowledged before the talks that the exchange was unlikely to bring any immediate agreements. He said that even though differences with Russia over the issues are not likely to be resolved such meetings are helpful in letting each side understand the other's perspective. He also admits new agreements between Washington and Moscow will not come easily.

Mr. Rumsfeld's talks, along with last month's visit to Moscow by national security adviser Condoleezza Rice, are preparing for President Bush's next scheduled meeting with Mr. Putin, in October in Shanghai. (SIGNED)

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