DATE=5/8/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RUMSFELD / MISSILE DEFENSE (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-275824

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the United States is examining a variety of possible approaches to missile defense. But as V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida reports, Mr. Rumsfeld insists no final decisions have yet been made.

TEXT: President Bush says he is committed to building a national missile defense system as soon as possible.

But Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld tells reporters the United States is serious about pursuing consultations with its allies first.

/// RUMSFELD ACTUALITY 1 ///

People think, you know, 'my goodness, they (Bush administration) obviously have something in their heads that's all firm and all fixed and they're suddenly going to pull open the curtain and there is is.' Not true.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Mr. Rumsfeld spoke at the Pentagon as U-S officials began a series of consultations abroad about the administration's support for missile defense systems. Besides U-S allies, talks are also being held with Russia and China, both of which have been critical of U-S missile defense plans.

Mr. Rumsfeld says the talks are serious. He says they involve a major rethinking of defense strategy following the Cold War.

/// RUMSFELD ACTUALITY 2 ///

These consultations are serious, they're real. This is a big important issue for people to discuss. It's going to take some relearning. It's going to take willingness on part of people to recognize the difference in our circumstance today from what the circumstance was in the Cold War. And we're going to that and do it well.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Mr. Rumsfeld's comments came at a news conference held to announce organizational changes at the Pentagon that will place new emphasis on the importance of space in U-S strategic planning for the future. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/JWH