DATE=5-1-2001

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-275570

TITLE=Bush-Missiles Oniter (L)

BYLINE=David Gollust

DATELINE=White House

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush is sending high-ranking envoys to Europe and Asia next week to consult U-S friends and allies on his controversial missile-defense program. In an address Tuesday, Mr. Bush committed his administration to building a defense against missile attack, and suggested it would likely require the scrapping of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with Moscow. VOA's David Gollust reports from the White House.

TEXT: Mr. Bush is embarking on what amounts to a international sales campaign for his missile defense program, which is strongly opposed by Russia and China, and viewed skeptically even by some U-S allies in NATO.

He kicked off the effort with an address at Washington's National Defense University, in which he said 21st century security threats including missiles fired by so-called rogue states require new approaches and thinking that go beyond Cold War doctrines.

While not specifically calling for the abrogation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the President made clear he considers the 1972 agreement barring long-range missile defense systems by both sides an obstacle to progress:

///Bush actuality///

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 or allies is in our interests or in the interest of world peace.

///end act///

Mr. Bush said more work needs to be done on the form U-S missile defenses might take, but suggested a multi-layered approach involving land and sea-based systems to intercept missiles launched against the United States and its forces in the early "boost" phase, in mid-flight, and as they re-enter the atmosphere.

In a gesture that would help make missile-defense more palatable to Moscow, Mr. Bush said he also is committed to reducing U-S offensive nuclear weapons stockpiles as part of the move to a post-Cold War defense posture:

///Bush act two///

We can and will change the size, the composition, and the character of our nuclear forces in a way that reflects the reality that the Cold War is over. I'm committed to achieving a credible deterrent with the lowest possible number of nuclear weapons consistent with our national-security needs, including our obligations to our allies.

///end act///

Mr. Bush said he will send teams headed by Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and his deputy national security adviser Steve Hadley to Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada next week for what he said would be "real consultations" on the administration plan:

///Bush act three///

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. We will seek their input on all the issues surrounding the new strategic environment. We'll also need to reach out to other interested states, including China and Russia.

///end act///

Mr. Bush preceded the speech with a telephone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a talk with reporters, Mr. Bush gave no indication the Russian leader had softened his opposition to altering the A-B-M treaty. But he said Mr. Putin did suggest a summit earlier than their first scheduled face-to-face encounter on the sidelines of the G-8 summit in Genoa, Italy in July.

White House officials said they were exploring the possibility of adding a meeting with Mr. Putin during the President's first mission to Europe in mid-June. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/PT