DATE=10/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / RUSSIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255499
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says 
Russian officials are overreacting to an 
administration proposal that would allow the United 
States to build a new missile defense system.  From 
the State Department, VOA's Kyle King reports.  

TEXT:  Secretary of State Albright says she is 
troubled by the strong Russian statements against 
changes the United States is proposing in the 1972 
Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.  The United States is 
proposing the changes to allow it to build a limited 
missile defense system.

Russia's first deputy defense minister (Nikolai 
Mikhailov) said Monday that Russia may deploy more 
offensive missiles if the United States goes ahead 
with its plans.

He said new Russian multi-warhead missiles could 
overwhelm the proposed U-S defense system, which is 
designed to shoot down incoming warheads.

Secretary of State Albright called the Russian remarks 
an overreaction.

            /// ALBRIGHT ACT ///

      I must say that I was troubled by the reports 
      today of some statements by the Russian military 
      that I think are an overreaction to our desire 
      to deal with what we believe is a common 
      problem, which is the threat that comes to all 
      of our countries which comes from rogue states 
      trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction.

            /// END ACT /// 

Ms. Albright says the two nations should be trying to 
solve new problems, not trying to revive old ones. 

The United States and Russia opened talks in Moscow 
last week on possible amendments to the 1972 Anti-
Ballistic Missile Treaty.

Russia strongly opposes U-S efforts to make amendments 
to the treaty to allow deployment of the missile 
defense system.

/// REST OPT ///

Ms. Albright, who spoke to reporters following talks 
with Dutch Foreign Minister Jozias van Aarsten, also 
said she is deeply concerned about events in Chechnya.

News reports from the region say Russian forces are 
continuing their advance on the Chechen capital of 
Grozny.

Mr. Van Aarsten said it was important to give Russia a 
warning about its offensive in Chechnya, and he said 
he agreed on the need for a dialogue with Moscow. 
(Signed)

NEB/KBK/KL




26-Oct-1999 14:54 PM EDT (26-Oct-1999 1854 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.