DATE=5/1/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-275561

TITLE=BUSH / MISSILES (L)

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush has outlined his vision for deploying a national missile defense system - arguing that it is time to replace the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with Russia with a new defense framework. V-O-A Correspondent Deborah Tate at the White House reports that at the same time, the president sought to assure allies he would listen to their concerns about the plan and take them into account.

TEXT: Describing the 1972 A-B-M Treaty as a Cold War relic, Mr. Bush called for a new way of thinking to counter the threats of the 21st century - namely missile attack from rogue nations like Iran, Iraq, and North Korea.

/// BUSH ACTUALITY 1 ///

We need a new framework that allows us to build missile defenses to counter the different threats of today's world. To do so, we must move beyond the constraints of the 30-year-old A-B-M treaty. This treaty does not recognize the present or point us to the future. It enshrines the past. No treaty that prevents us from addressing today's threats, that prohibits us from pursuing promising technology to defend ourselves, our friends and our allies is in our interests, or in the interests of world peace.

/// END ACT ///

Russia opposes the U-S missile defense proposal, fearing it would undermine deterrence.

In his speech at National Defense University here in Washington, Mr. Bush responded to Moscow's concerns:

/// BUSH ACTUALITY 2 ///

Deterrence can no longer be based solely on the threat of nuclear retaliation. Defenses can strengthen the deterrence by reducing the incentive for proliferation.

/// END ACT ///

In a move aimed at winning Russia's acceptance of the proposed missile shield, the president said he supports unilateral cuts in the U-S nuclear arsenal. He said he is committed to achieving what he called 'a credible deterrent with the lowest possible number of nuclear weapons consistent with national needs and obligations to U-S allies.

Earlier Tuesday, Mr. Bush called Russian President Vladimir Putin to brief him on the speech.

A day earlier, he discussed missile defense with five NATO leaders.

In his address, Mr. Bush said U-S diplomats would travel to Europe and Asia next week to consult with allies, many of whom are also concerned about the missile shield's impact on deterrence.

/// BUSH ACTUALITY 3 ///

We are not presenting our friends and allies with unilateral decisions already made. We look forward to hearing their views, the views of our friends, and to take them into account.

/// END ACT ///

Missile defense is expected to be high on the agenda when Mr. Bush visits Europe next month, a trip that will include a stop at NATO headquarters in Brussels. (Signed)

NEB/DAT/JWH