DATE=9/6/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N SUMMIT-PUTIN (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266189
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO:  Russia's President Vladimir Putin has 
(Wednesday) proposed an international conference on 
the militarization of outer space.  Mr. Putin spoke at 
the opening session of the United Nations Millennium 
Summit of World leaders. VOA Correspondent Breck 
Ardery reports.


TEXT: Mr. Putin told the gathering of world leaders 
that the control of nuclear weapons and the elements 
used to make them should be a major priority for the 
world.  Speaking through an interpreter, he also 
expressed concern about what he described as plans for 
the "militarizatiion of outer space."

            /// PUTIN INTERPRETER ACT ///

      Particularly alarming are the plans for 
      militarization of outer space. In spring of the 
      year 2001 we shall celebrate the 40th anniversary 
      of the first flight of man in outer space. That 
      man was our compatriot, and we suggest to 
      organize on that date, under the umbrella of the 
      U-N, an international conference on the 
      prevention of outer space militarization. I 
      think the most proper place for it shall be 
      Moscow.
      
            ///END ACT///

Diplomats say that, without mentioning it by name, Mr. 
Putin was expressing his disapproval of a U-S proposal 
for a national missile defense system.  President 
Clinton recently put that plan on indefinite hold, 
leaving a decision to the next president.  Russia has 
expressed strong opposition to the idea of a missile 
defense system.

In his speech to the U-N summit, the Russian President 
also addressed the issue of terrorism, calling it 
"dangerous and treacherous." Russian officials have 
blamed extremists from Chechnya for terrorist attacks 
in Moscow.

Mr. Putin noted that his nation underwent historic 
changes at the end of the 20th century and that Russia, 
as never before, is now open to international 
cooperation. (Signed)       


NEB/UN/BA/ENE/KBK



06-Sep-2000 12:47 PM EDT (06-Sep-2000 1647 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.