DATE=5/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N / NUCLEAR WEAPONS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262801
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO:  Russia warns that efforts by the United States 
to modify the anti-ballistic missile treaty will 
jeopardize efforts for further reductions in nuclear 
weapons.  Lisa Schlein reports the Russian Ambassador 
issued his warning to delegates attending the U-N 
Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

TEXT:  Russian Ambassador to the United Nations in 
Geneva, Vasily Sidorov, calls the 1972 anti-ballistic 
missile treaty the cornerstone of nuclear arms control 
accords.  He warns any attempt to undercut the treaty 
will undermine 30-years of painstakingly achieved 
disarmament agreements. 

The Ambassador's warning comes shortly before a 
planned Moscow summit between President Clinton and 
his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin in early June.  
Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott has just held 
two days of talks in Moscow to prepare for the summit.

Mr. Talbott's efforts to persuade Russia to consider 
modifying the A-B-M treaty reportedly failed.  The 
United States wants to change the treaty to allow it 
to construct a limited missile-defense shield against 
so-called rogue states, notably Iran, Iraq, and North 
Korea.

Russian Ambassador Sidorov says the system would 
violate the A-B-M treaty.  He says this would threaten 
other important nuclear treaties, leading to a new 
arms race.  

/// OPT ///  China also is opposed to the U-S nuclear 
defense system.  It warns that any attempt to break 
out of the A-B-M treaty will force China to build up 
its nuclear arsenal.  /// END OPT ///

Ambassador Sidorov notes Russia has ratified the 
START-Two treaty, committing it to reductions in 
strategic offensive weapons.  He says START-Three 
negotiations, now being conducted, could result in 
Russia cutting its nuclear arsenal to 15-hundred 
warheads.

But, Ambassador Sidorov warns all this will be lost if 
the United States goes ahead with its so-called "star 
wars" defense.  The Russian Ambassador suggests 
Washington drop its military solution and consider 
political and diplomatic measures instead.   (SIGNED)

NEB/LS/GE/RAE 



25-May-2000 09:15 AM EDT (25-May-2000 1315 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.