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Clinton, Putin Speak on Phone over Missile Issues
U.S. President Bill Clinton and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked on Friday over phone about the issue of missile defense one week after the two met in Moscow.
White House Spokesman Joe Lockhart said the two leaders discussed a wide range of subjects in the 15-minute conversation. "They did some discussion about missile defense and some of President Putin's ideas."
During his meeting with Clinton last week, Putin, who opposes Washington's plan for a limited missile defense system, suggested that European nations and the United States jointly develop a missile defense system.
Washington is considering the deployment of a national missile defense system, and such a move was opposed by its European allies and Russia.
In Brussels on Friday, U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen said that Russia's proposal for an anti-missile defense system offers no protection for the United States or even Europe and so it is not feasible. Cohen will meet Russian Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev on Monday.
"I think Secretary Cohen is in a good position to allay any concerns the Russians may have," Cohen added.
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