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CNN Live Saturday

U.S. Hopes to Reach New Arms Agreement With Russia

Aired July 14, 2001 - 12:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: The Bush administration is talking more about its hopes of reaching a new missile agreement with Russia. Washington wants a pact that would allow the United States to develop a missile defense system.

CNN's White House correspondent Kelly Wallace, has details for us.

Hi, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Donna.

Well, as you know, the Bush administration has for some time been saying that that anti-ballistic missile treaty between the U.S. and Russia is a relic of the Cold War, but the Russians have been very much against amending or renegotiating that treaty. Well, the administration is now saying it hopes to reach a new understanding with the Russians, so that the U.S. could go forward with a missile defense system.

In today's "Washington Post," Secretary of State Colin Powell says, quote: "We need an understanding, an agreement, a treaty, something with the Russians that allow us to move forward. Sometime in the not too distant future, we're going to need relief."

Now this agreement, senior officials say, would not only cover defensive systems, such as the missile defense shield, but would also cover offensive systems and would likely include a promised reduction by the United States to lower its nuclear arsenal.

Yesterday, in a briefing with reporters about the President's upcoming trip to Europe, Condoleeza Rice, the president's national security advisor, said, "It is not necessary to go ahead and renegotiate the ABM Treaty." She said the focus of the administration is on developing a new relationship with the Russians.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CONDOLEEZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: And so what we're saying to the Russians is let's move beyond that treaty. We have for some time now with the Russians, over the next period of time here, to try and come to a new strategic framework. But I can assure you that we understand our obligations and we understand our legal obligations, and we would do -- anything that we're going to do, we are going to do it legally.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And so the stage is now set for Mr. Bush's next meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two men met for the first time last month. They will meet again next week at a summit in Europe. There is also talk of a summit this fall between the two men at the President's ranch in Crawford, Texas.

The big challenge for President Bush and the rest of the administration is getting the Russians to agree to some type of understanding because the Russians have been very opposed to a missile defense shield. And they have said that if the United States goes forward with a missile defense system, the U.S. could -- the Russians, rather, could go ahead and put multiple warheads on their own intercontinental ballistic missiles.

So this issue likely to a great deal of attention next week. The president leaving for Europe, Donna, on Wednesday.

KELLEY: From the White House, our Kelly Wallace, thank you.

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