RUSSIA, EU OPPOSE ANY CHANGES TO ABM TREATY. Speaking at a press
conference after the EU-Russia summit, French President
Chirac stressed that the two sides are strongly opposed to
the U.S.'s making any changes to the 1972 Anti-Ballistic
Missile Treaty. "The European Union and Russia have an
identical viewpoint. We have condemned any potential revision
of the ABM treaty, believing that such a revision will
involve a risk of proliferation that will be very dangerous
for the future," Chirac said. Putin, who was also present at
the press conference, underlined Moscow's stance that a
"violation" of the ABM treaty will lead to a resumption of
the arms race. According to the joint declaration issued at
the end of the summit, agreement was reached to launch talks
on how Russia might contribute to the EU's security policy,
which includes the creation of a military rapid reaction
force. JC
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