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CNN Live Saturday

Bush Tries To Sell ABM Changes to Russia

Aired July 14, 2001 - 17:06   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.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: A critical test for President Bush's plans to launch a missile defense system. The Pentagon will conduct an interception of a mock nuclear warhead high above the Pacific Ocean. Hit or miss, the Bush Administration is also working to forge an agreement with Russia that would permit the United States to pursue this program without violating the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty between the countries.

CNN's Kelly Wallace is at the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE (voice-over): Secretary of State Colin Powell sending the Russians a signal telling "The Washington Post," quote, "We need an understanding an agreement a treaty, something with the Russians that allows us to move forward with our missile defense programs."

That message as senior State Department officials said was important to send after the Bush Administration this week told lawmakers it was building a test facility in Alaska and scheduling regular tests beginning this weekend, steps which senior Bush advisers say would put the U.S. on a collision course in months, not years, with the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile or ABM treaty.

PAUL WOLFOWITZ, DEP. SECY. OF DEFENSE: As the program develops and the various testing activities mature, one or more of those will bump up against treaty restrictions and limitations.

WALLACE: The president has called the treaty which bars the U.S. and Russia from building a system to shoot down in coming missiles, outdated because the two countries are no longer enemies.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATL. SECURITY ADVISER: What we are sayings to the Russians is, let's move beyond that treaty. We have some time now with the Russians over the next period of time here to try and come to a new strategic framework.

WALLACE: That, quote, "strategic framework" U.S. officials hope, would not only cover a U.S. missile defense system, but also would lead to cuts in each side's nuclear arsenal. President Bush meets this week with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Italy. Analysts say the Russian's appear to be taking a wait-and-see approach. TOBI GATI, FMR. NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL OFFICIAL: I think the Russians also understand perfectly well that it's the United States that need to change in the ABM treaty, and that gives them quite a bit of leverage because they're the ones who now can say, yes we agree and we will come to the table and discuss what kind of agreement we ought to have.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: The Bush Administration has intentionally left unclear exactly what it would consider a violation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. Instead, its public focus right now is on trying to win over the Russians -- Stephen.

FRAZIER: Kelly, what are the implications for the administration here at home with congressional leaders, for example?

WALLACE: Well, congressional leaders, particularly Democrats, were not at all pleased to hear that the administration is definitely speeding up and moving forward with missile defense, going ahead and building a test facility in Alaska and speeding up missile tests.

So Democrats not too happy. Obviously big attention will be focused on tonight's missile test. U.S. officials trying to downplay the expectations here saying this will be the first in a series of tests, though Pentagon officials say they are cautiously optimistic.

They believe if it is successful then they will have confidence in the system. If it's a failure they will learn a lot. They are confident though, Stephen, because President Bush is committed to this even if early tests are not so successful early on -- Stephen.

FRAZIER: At the White House, Kelly Wallace who last time we spoke, Kelly, was being evacuated because of a bomb threat there where that was an all-clear and a false alarm. We are glad you're OK, too.

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