DATE=4/27/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-275436

TITLE=BUSH / MISSILE DEFENSE (L-only)

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush is preparing for what aides say will be a major address next week on his controversial plan for a national missile defense system. He is also expected to commit his administration to reduce U-S offensive nuclear stockpiles. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the White House.

TEXT: Mr. Bush made the need for a missile-defense capability a major theme of his campaign last year. But he has made scant mention of the subject since his inauguration, and did not earmark any money for the project in the budget he send Congress earlier this month.

Aides say that in the speech, to be delivered Tuesday to the National Defense University in Washington, Mr. Bush will portray missile defense as an essential part of a national-security policy that should also include reductions in the U-S nuclear arsenal.

Though strongly opposed by Russia, China and even some U-S allies as destabilizing, Mr. Bush contends that a missile-defense system is needed to protect against accidental missile launches, or nuclear blackmail or an actual attack by any of several so-called "rogue states" seeking weapons of mass destruction.

He told reporters in February the new threats require an entirely new way of thinking about national defense:

/// BUSH ACT ///

It makes a lot of sense to explore options. It makes a lot of sense to develop defenses to face the true threats. It also makes sense for us to send the message to the world that in the post-Cold War era, the United States will handle its responsibilities to keep the peace in a constructive way, by reducing our offensive weapons as well.

/// END ACT ///

Officials here say Mr. Bush will follow up Tuesday's speech by sending out diplomatic teams for a new round of missile-defense consultations with U-S allies. The issue is also expected to figure heavily in talks in mid-May, when Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov visits Washington.

The administration hopes that cutting the U-S offensive nuclear arsenal will ease Russian concern about the proposed defensive program, which Moscow says will violate the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

The United States and Russia committed themselves four years ago to a third Strategic Arms Reduction accord that would cut nuclear arsenals to 25-hundred or fewer warheads on each side.

Moscow, struggling with the cost of maintaining its offensive forces, has suggested even deeper reductions. During the campaign, Mr. Bush said the U-S arsenal should be reduced to what he termed "the lowest possible number consistent with U-S security."

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is conducting an across-the-board review of the U-S defense posture, including the extent of possible weapons cutbacks. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/WTW