DATE=6/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PUTIN MISSILES (L-ONLY)(CQ)
NUMBER=2-263092
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will 
propose a joint missile defense system when he meets 
this weekend in Moscow with President Clinton.  V-O-
A's' Paula Wolfson reports Mr. Putin made the surprise 
announcement in an interview with America's N-B-C 
television network.


TEXT:  Just days before his first summit with 
President Clinton, Vladimir Putin took his case 
directly to the American people.

During a nationally broadcast interview, he disclosed 
a new Russian arms control proposal.  He said his 
country is willing to join with others to build one 
missile defense system.

            /// Putin and Translator Act ///

      Such mechanisms are possible if we pool our 
      efforts and direct them towards neutralizing the 
      threats against the United States, Russia, our 
      allies -- or Europe in general.  We have such 
      proposals and we intend to discuss them with 
      President Clinton.

            /// End Act///

On Wednesday, Mr. Clinton said the United States is 
willing to share its missile defense technology with 
friendly nations.  He did not mention Russia by name, 
but there have been indications the United States 
would be interested in working with Moscow.

The two sides have been at odds for years over the 
notion of an American-built missile defense system.  
The White House has said time and time again that such 
a system would not be directed at Russia, but would be 
designed to protect the United States from surprise 
attacks by so-called "rogue states" such as North 
Korea, Iraq and Iran.

Russia has long been skeptical, claiming development 
of a U-S nuclear shield would be a violation of the 
Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty, and could lead to a new 
arms race.  Mr. Putin's statements to N-B-C television 
marked the first public sign from Moscow that 
compromise could be possible.

            /// Rest Opt ///

During the interview, the Russian president also 
offered a spirited defense of his military action 
against Chechnya.  But when asked to name the biggest 
threat facing Russia, he offered two answers.

            /// Putin and Translator Act ///

      The biggest threat to Russia is ineffective 
      economic policy.  And if one speaks of external 
      threats, I should say that religious extremism 
      exists in Russia like in other parts of the 
      world.

            /// End Act ///

Mr. Putin spoke briefly at the end of the interview 
about his two young daughters,  "What kind of future 
do you see for them?" he was asked.   He spoke of the 
importance of preserving Russia's culture and identity 
in a changing world, adding "I want to see my children 
see themselves as Russians."   (signed)

NEB/PW/JP




02-Jun-2000 11:28 AM EDT (02-Jun-2000 1528 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.