U.S. Statesmen Greet Bush's ABM Pullout With Skepticism

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, December 14, 2001

U.S. Statesmen Greet Bush's ABM Pullout With Skepticism

U.S. statesmen and arms control advocates on Thursday expressed their skepticism and concerns over Bush administration's decision to pull out of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM), calling it a misguided and poorly timed decision.

U.S. President George W. Bush announced on Thursday that the United States has notified Russia that it intends to withdraw from the treaty, starting a six-month timetable for withdrawal and opening the way for the creation of an anti-missile defense system.

"I think it undermines the fragile coalition that we have with our allies," said Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota, who was told of the decision in advance at a breakfast meeting with Bush on Wednesday.

"It causes real concern ... as we look at the implications for future commitments in our defense strategy and what it may mean in other contexts," Daschle said.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph Biden, D- Delaware, admonished the White House on the Senate floor, saying the move would cause an arms buildup not just in Russia but also in Pakistan and India, increasing tensions in southern Asia.

Biden called Bush's priorities "out of whack." He said America should be more worried about terrorists with weapons of mass destruction than countries with long-range ballistic missiles.

"September 11 indicated our country is vulnerable," Biden said. "The thing we remain the least vulnerable to is an ICBM attack from another nation."

he said Bush administration's position is just the opposite: The September 11 attacks demonstrate that if so-called "rogue nations" that support terrorists develop long-range missiles, they would undoubtedly use them.

Biden questioned the "urgency to pull out," saying the Pentagon has told Congress it could test the missile defense system without breaching the ABM treaty.

"Is the announcement of our intent to withdraw from the ABM treaty a real action, or is it a White House Christmas present for the right wing who dislikes arms control under any circumstances," he asked.

Daschle said although it is his understanding that Bush has the authority to unilaterally pull out of the treaty, he is researching what "specific legal options Congress has" to stop it. But Daschle admitted such options may be limited.

Many Democrats also believe pulling out of the ABM treaty unnecessarily antagonizes the Russians, because there is no indication a missile defense system would work.

They said it is especially dangerous to withdraw from the pact at a time when the Russians and other nuclear-capable allies are key coalition members in the U.S.-led war against terrorism.

Daschle said there are limits to what Congress can do legislatively, but it still has the "power of purse," suggesting it can hold up funds for missile defense or other White House program.

"It is unfortunate that the Russians knew before the leaders did," Daschle said. "It's unfortunate that a matter of this import would not have been vetted more carefully or completely and with greater care for U.S. foreign policy than this was."

"Just as the Bush administration has recognized international cooperation against terrorism, it should recognize the value of international cooperation against weapons of mass destruction," said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association.

"Unfortunately what it is doing is systematically dismantling and disregarding the framework of international agreements built up over the last four decades," he added.

Russian Duma Leaders Criticize U.S. for Quitting ABM Treaty

Belarus: U.S. Withdrawal From ABM Treaty to Destroy World Stability

NATO Makes Cautious Comment on U.S. ABM Pullout