ACCESSION NUMBER:00000
FILE ID:96052110.txt
DATE:05/21/96
TITLE:21-05-96  DEFENSE DEPARTMENT REPORT, MAY 21, 1996

TEXT:
(China/Russia SS-18 missile technology)  (300)

Following is the official transcript of Q&A with Defense Secretary
Perry on May 21:

(begin official transcript)

DoD News Briefing: Honor Cordon for Secretary of National Defense,
Philippines
"DefenseLINK Transcript"

Tuesday, May 21, 1996 - 9 a.m.

Secretary of Defense William J. Perry

Secretary of National Defense Renato De Villa, of the Republic of the
Philippines

Q: Mr. Secretary we are told that you only have time for one question
so we want to ask you about the report today in the Washington Times
that China was seeking SS-18 missile technology and also your comment
that Admiral Boorda's wearing of the Combat V was a technical
violation; could you just explain this?

A: It sounded like two questions instead of one question to me.
(Laughter) I am sorry to be putting pressure on the time but we do
have the President coming over shortly before ten o'clock and then we
are going to the memorial service for Admiral Boorda with the
President. On the first question we do have information that Chinese
was seeking SS-18 technology from Russia. We believe that would be a
significant mistake to transfer the SS-18 technology to China and have
so represented our position to Russian government and the Ukraine
government. With the exception of making booster available for space
launching -- and even then under tight control -- other transfer of
ICBM technology would be in our view a violation of the START
agreement and of the missile technology control regime. And so we have
pointed out to both Russian and Ukraine we do not think that would be
appropriate. That's all I have time for this morning. Thank you very
much.

Thank you Mr. Secretary.

(end official transcript)

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