NMD: Russia warns U.S.

MOSCOW, JULY 10. The U.S. National Missile Defence (NMD) system can force Moscow to equip its modernised Topol Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) with several warheads instead of just one, a top Russian official said, adding that ``We can also revive the

Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile programme.'' Besides, ``there exist several other options which are more cheaper and more lethal,'' said the head of the Strategic Missile Force, Gen. Vladimir Yakolev.

Referring to Saturday's failed test of the NMD system, Gen. Yakolev said no modern technology can assure the U.S. of foolproof defence arrangements on its borders. However, if the U.S. pursued its arms addition policy, ``then we can adopt reciprocal measures''.

In an interview to the military mouthpiece Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star), the missile force chief said, ``We can change the principles of use of operational- tactical nuclear weapons, and increase the number of warheads on the cruise missiles.''

He charged that the NMD programme would destabilise world security system, besides promoting nuclear anarchy.

Meanwhile, Voice of Russia quoted sources from the Foreign Ministry as saying that ``Saturday's failed test of the NMD system has strengthened our position and we would oppose U.S. plans to amend the 1972 ABM treaty at the coming G-8 summit in Okinawa.''

Pressure on Clinton

In Washington, U.S lawmakers have urged the President, Mr. Bill Clinton, to let his successor decide whether to build a missile defence system.

Mr. Clinton is under some domestic pressure to take steps to construct a National Missile Defence system (NMD) at a cost of up to $ 60 billions to shield the U.S. from attacks from states like North Korea, Iran and Iraq.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers urged Mr. Clinton yesterday to press ahead with the project despite the fact that two out of three Pentagon tests, including Saturday's, failed to prove that the system would definitely work.

Ultimately, they said, this would allow the President who takes office when Mr. Clinton steps down on January 20, 2001 to make the final decision with the benefit of more test data.

- UNI, Reuters

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