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Russia Welcomes U.S. Delaying of Missile Defense
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday reaffirmed that Moscow welcomes U.S. President Bill Clinton's decision to put off the deployment of a national missile defense system and is ready to continue constructive talks with Washington on anti-ballistic missile issue.
Clinton's decision is of significance for strengthening global strategic stability and international security, and will make it possible for Russia to hold constructive dialogue with the United States as a strategic partner in the future, Putin told Russian media in the Far East city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk before leaving for Japan for a three-day official visit.
"Neither Russia, nor other partners, have any doubts that Clinton's decision has been made exclusively in the interests of the United States," he said.
"I think this carefully weighed-out decision has been taken following Clinton's consultations with the allies. I hope the Russian position is also being taken into account. Such a decision is important for international security, and is enhancing the United States' prestige," Putin said.
At the same time, Putin confirmed that differences still exist in the positions of Russia and the United States on the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty.
"The U.S. argues that the ABM treaty must be adjusted. Clinton's decision on this issue "gives hope for a constructive dialogue with the U.S. partners," the president said.
Friday, U.S. President Bill Clinton announced 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."
At the same day, Putin and the Russian military made positive reactions to the U.S. decision.
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