DATE=9/8/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-238312
TITLE=SENATE-MISSILE DEFENSE (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE VOTES TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) ON WHETHER TO 
PUSH AHEAD WITH A CONTROVERSIAL NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE NETWORK.
THE PLAN'S SUPPORTERS SAY IT WOULD COUNTER THE THREAT FROM 
COUNTRIES LIKE IRAN AND NORTH KOREA, WHILE CRITICS WARN IT WOULD 
HURT RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS.

TEXT: FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR, SENATORS WILL DECIDE WHETHER
TO SHUT OFF DEBATE AND PASS A MISSILE DEFENSE BILL.  THE PLAN 
CALLS ON THE PENTAGON TO DEPLOY A NATIONWIDE ANTI-MISSILE SHIELD 
AS SOON AS TECHNOLOGY PERMITS.

THE PREVIOUS ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE BILL FORWARD FAILED BY JUST ONE 
VOTE.  THIS TIME REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THEIR CHANCES ARE BETTER  
BECAUSE THE THREAT IS MORE APPARENT, ESPECIALLY SINCE NORTH KOREA
TEST-FIRED A MISSILE OVER JAPAN.  MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT SAYS
THE NEED FOR PROTECTION IS CLEAR.

                        /// LOTT ACT ///

         I BELIEVE IN VIEW OF WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AROUND THE 
         WORLD - THE UNCERTAINTY IN RUSSIA, THE ACTIONS BY NORTH 
         KOREA AND THE PROBLEM IN IRAQ - FOR US NOT TO HAVE A 
         NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE, TO NOT HAVE A PLAN, TO NOT 
         HAVE A COMMITMENT, IS INDEFENSIBLE.  AND I WOULD NOT 
         WANT TO BE ON RECORD AS NOT SUPPORTING THIS.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT SAY HOW LARGE THE MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM 
MUST BE OR SET DEADLINES FOR DEPLOYMENT.  STILL, THE CLINTON 
ADMINISTRATION OPPOSES THE PLAN ON THE GROUNDS IT WOULD UNDERMINE
THE LONGSTANDING ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILE TREATY WITH RUSSIA.  
SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER TOM DASCHLE ARGUES THE BILL PRESENTS TOO
MANY DRAWBACKS.

                       /// DASCHLE ACT ///

         WE OUGHT TO BE LOOKING AT COST, WE OUGHT TO BE LOOKING 
         AT THE RAMIFICATIONS FOR TREATIES, ESPECIALLY OUR 
         TREATIES WITH RUSSIA, (AND) ABOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY 
         IMPLICATIONS FOR THE EXPANSION OR THE ACCELERATION OF AN
         ARMS RACE ALL OVER AGAIN.

                         /// END ACT ///

DESPITE THE NARROW MARGIN OF THE LAST VOTE, MR. DASCHLE SAYS HE 
IS SOMEWHAT OPTIMISTIC DEMOCRATS CAN STOP THE BILL AGAIN.  IF 
THEY DO NOT, AND THE MEASURE EVENTUALLY REACHES THE PRESIDENT'S 
DESK, IT FACES AN ALL BUT CERTAIN VETO. (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/WDC/WFR

08-Sep-98 4:47 PM EDT (2047 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.