DATE=6/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA RUSSIA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263071
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=



INTRO:  Two top U-S Defense officials say there is 
more rhetoric than reality to Russian and Chinese 
objections to U-S missile defense efforts.  The 
comments come as President Clinton prepares to meet 
Russia's President for talks expected to focus on the 
U-S efforts to develop systems to shoot down warheads 
headed for the American heartland.  V-O-A's Jim Randle 
reports, the U-S programs are the target of sharp 
criticism from long-time allies as well as potential 
foes.



TEXT:  Washington is working to develop several 
different systems to protect U-S troops and 
cities against ballistic missiles armed with 
nuclear, chemical, or germ weapons.

Officials in Moscow say the proposed systems 
break the 1972 treaty that sharply limits Anti- 
Ballistic Missile (A-B-M) systems, and that they 
will back out of key arms control agreements if 
the United States continues such efforts.

These agreements have cut thousands of nuclear 
warheads out of the U-S and Russian arsenals, and 
arms control advocates say sacrificing the 
treaties for an untested missile defense system 
would be a big mistake.

But senior defense officials, briefing reporters 
at the Pentagon Thursday says Moscow has made 
stern threats before, but eventually backed down.

One official says the Soviets walked out of arms 
control talks in the 1980's when Washington 
deployed ground-launched cruise missiles and 
medium range nuclear missiles in Europe.  The 
Soviets also said they would not sign a treaty 
getting rid of their medium range weapons, called 
SS-20's. But eventually they came back to the 
talks and made an agreement banning all 
`intermediate' range nuclear forces.

The officials, who asked not to be identified, 
also dismiss criticism that continued missile 
defense efforts will prompt China to modernize 
its modest stock of long range nuclear missiles.

One says Beijing is busy developing several new 
long range nuclear missiles, along with a new 
kind of submarine to carry sea-launched missiles.

Such work has been underway for many years, so 
the Pentagon official argues that it was not 
prompted by more recent U-S efforts at missile 
defenses.

The chorus of criticism of U-S missile defense 
research comes not just from past cold war 
adversaries, but from long-time allies like 
France and Germany as well.

President Clinton's recent offer to share 
ballistic missile defense technology with 
`civilized' nations did not seem to quell fears 
that the systems could ignite another nuclear 
arms race.

U-S officials acknowledge the objections, but 
note that many allies are also engaged in joint 
research on the incredibly difficult technical 
problem of shooting down a missile warhead 
streaking through space.  

The officials say Washington is willing to work 
with Moscow on research, construction and 
intelligence projects to help protect Russia from 
missile threats.

The possibilities include helping Moscow build a 
new radar to spot missile threats, joint research 
on new ways to see attacking warheads, and a 
permanent facility to share missile early warning 
data.

The officials say the joint early warning system 
has been discussed for some time, but might get 
final approval at the summit between Presidents 
Clinton and Putin in a few days. (Signed)


NEB/PT





01-Jun-2000 19:58 PM EDT (01-Jun-2000 2358 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.