Putin Says Russia Will Not Haggle Over US Missile Shield Plans

Russian President Putin speaks during his meeting with law enforcement and security ministers in Sochi, 22 September 2001. PresidentPutin discussed with ministers the situation after the terrorist attacks in US on 11 September 2001. AFP/TASS Pool photo.

Moscow (AFP) Sept. 22, 2001
Russia will not use its support for the United States's intended punitive campaign as leverage to try to compel Washington to forsake its controversial missile shield project, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"We do not want and will not have haggling over this. Of course, if we cooperate effectively in this, we may find common ground in other things, but it's wrong to use our partner's trouble," Putin told German ARD television Friday.

Russia would not "become hysterical" if the US abandoned the cornerstone 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty and notify Russia in advance, Putin said, adding, however, that he thought it would be a wrong choice.

"Today's system of international security is largely based on the 1972 treaty, and so are the START accords, and over 30 various agreements. This would be destroyed in an instant" if the ABM treaty is abandoned, Putin warned.

"We offer nothing in return. Russia's national interests will not be much harmed, because Russia can assure its security for 30 years to come. But we call for careful handling of the world's security ... and we think it's wrong," Putin said.

In addition, the missile shield, which had been proposed as the US's defense against terrorists and rogue states, would be useless if terrorists resorted to unconventional means, he said.

In the September 11 attacks, "terrorists used civilian aircraft. And the national shield would defend the US only from missiles ... which is the kind of technology even the rogue states cannot hope to obtain," the Russian leader said.

Russia is staunchly opposed to the national missile shield project, saying that if the ABM accord breaks up Moscow may multiply the number of warheads on its missiles in response.

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SPACEWAR

Prototype Missile Launched In Midcourse Missile Defense Test

Anaheim - Aug. 31, 2001
A Boeing-designed and -built booster vehicle was successfully launched today for its first verification test flight from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The three-stage booster vehicle is the prototype interceptor for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense Segment (GMDS) Program (formerly National Missile Defense.) The Boeing Company is the prime contractor for the program.