Ballistic Missile

Defense Organization,

Washington, DC, June 14, 1995.

Hon.Curt Weldon,

Chairman, Subcommittee on Military Research and Development, Committee on National Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Sir: There has recently been a great deal of debate concerning whether or not the programs planned by the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization for fiscal year 1996 are compliant with the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM ) Treaty. I can tell you that every activity under my control complies with the ABM Treaty, and that we will not develop, test or deploy systems that violate the Treaty. I take my stewardship of the Nation's ballistic missile defense programs very seriously and strive to ensure that the program complies with all our legal and international obligations.

I want to assure you that every program in the acquisition process that raises Treaty issues is subjected to a stringent compliance review process managed by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Technology (A&T). Additionally, tests, experiments, and programs that are sufficiently developed, but that are not yet in the acquisition process, are also scrutinized by the Under Secretary of Defense (A&T) Treaty Compliance Review Group to ensure that they do not violate Treaty obligations.

I hope this clarifies any ambiguity that may exist. I stand ready to answer any further questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Malcolm R. O'Neill,

Lieutenant General, USA,

Director.