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Clinton's Decision to Delay Missile Defense Responsible Move: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin late Friday called U.S. President Bill Clinton's decision to put off the deployment of a national missile defense system "a thought-out and responsible move."
Clinton announced Friday in a speech at Georgetown University that he will leave to his successor the decision on beginning the deployment of a national missile defense (NMD) system because "there is not yet enough confidence in technology and in the effectiveness of the system."
"President Clinton made this decision after a thorough analysis and deep thinking, while also taking into account opinions of U.S. allies and partners," Putin said in a statement, released by the Kremlin press service Friday evening.
"The move will undoubtedly help to strengthen strategic stability and security in the world and bolster the United States' international prestige, especially ahead of the upcoming Millennium Summit," Putin said.
"It does not mean that Washington and Moscow have identical approaches to anti-missile defense. But Russia is ready to continue active joint work with the United States and other countries concerned on ensuring international security, including further cuts in nuclear arsenals, the improvement of nuclear non-proliferation regimes and the strengthening of global strategic stability by political means," he stressed.
The Russian president has already issued the necessary orders to Russia's Security Council and Foreign Ministry to this end, said the press service.
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