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CNN Live Sunday
U.S. Is One Step Closer to a Missile Defense Shield
Aired July 15, 2001 - 17:04 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 stunning technological feat overnight put the United States one step closer to creating a missile defense shield and brought denunciations from China and Russia. The Pentagon successfully conducted a test involving a missile interceptor sent into space to destroy and incoming nuclear attack. The political fallout, though, is another story, and CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace has details of that -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Stephen, definite political challenges ahead for President Bush in the United States and also internationally, especially when it comes to the Russians who believe this test undermines the major arms control agreement between two countries.
As for Mr. Bush, though, his happiness with the test results was quite evident. He gave reporters a double thumbs up as he returned to the White House earlier this afternoon. U.S. officials were downplaying the significance of this test. At the same time, though, they knew a failure would embolden the president's critics and the success would give the plan some definite momentum.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE (voice-over): Missile defense supporters compare it to hitting a bullet with a bullet. A target missile equipped with a mock warhead launched from a California air base; 4,800 miles away, an interceptor took off over the Pacific Ocean and collided with the mock warhead some 140 mile above the Earth's surface.
The Pentagon was clearly pleased, but sounded a cautious note.
LT. GEN. RONALD KADISH, DIRECTOR, BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE ORGANIZATION: It's a series and a buildup of data, so this tests is just one on the journey, one stop on the journey.
WALLACE: There was a lot at stake. The $100 million test gives the Pentagon two successes in four such tests since 1999, giving a boost to the president's goal of deploying a missile defense system by 2004 and leaning skeptics to concede this was a positive first step, although Democratic lawmakers charge it did not truly simulate the threats the United States faces.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I congratulate the military on a successful test, but it's not a real-world test yet, and we have a long way to go, and we should continue to pursue it.
WALLACE: No congratulates from the Russians, though, who said the test undermines the Antiballistic Missile Treaty signed between the two countries almost 30 years ago. The Bush administration has said that its plans to speed up development of the missile defense system, including building a test facility in Alaska, could put it in conflict with the ABM treaty in months, not years. That is why the White House stepping up efforts to get Russia to agree to some understanding.
SEN. TRENT LOTT (R-MS), MINORITY LEADER: Things have changed. What was the situation with mutual assured destruction 10, 20, 30 years ago, is different now.
WALLACE: The president will try to gain Russia's support when he meets for the second time with Russian President Vladimir Putin this coming weekend.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WALLACE: And cooperation from Russia would calm the concerns of European allies and might help the president's sales job at home with Congress. The next missile defense test is scheduled for October -- Stephen.
FRAZIER: Kelly, while we have you, let's turn the corner here and talk about something that was reported today in "The New York Times" following their six-month investigation into Florida election recount. As you know, they are reporting that the campaign of Governor Bush pressured Republicans to accept hundreds of overseas absentee ballots that did not comply with state election laws in Florida. What is the response there to that?
WALLACE: Not a big reaction from the White House, Stephen. Basically, officials here saying the election is over. White House press secretary Ari Fleischer saying the election was decided by the people of Florida a long time ago. He says quote: "And the nation, the president and all but the most partisan Americans have moved on."
Some Democratic Party activists, though, are saying a bit more. They are saying that this story, quote: "Reinforces the perception that members of the Bush team believe the rules don't apply to them and could explain why the Bush administration has shown no real interest in pursuing the type of election reform that is needed."
As for some other Democrats, though, the vice presidential candidate, Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, was basically saying this is history, the election is over. However, he did say that this story reinforces the need for Congress and the administration to focus, as soon as possible, on election reform so that what happened in Florida never happens again -- Stephen.
FRAZIER: At the White House, Kelly Wallace. Kelly, thank you.
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