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01 September 2000
NATO Welcomes U.S. Commitment
to Continue Dialogue on NMD Deployment
NATO Secretary General George Robertson says the U.S. decision to
defer
deployment of a limited National Missile Defense (NMD) system
"appears to be
a prudent course of action."
Following is the text of his statement issued September 1:
NATO Headquarters
Brussels
Press Release
1 September, 2000
Statement by the Secretary General of NATO
The decision of the United States to continue testing on
development of a
limited National Missile Defense system, 1 Sept. 2000, while
reserving
judgment on eventual deployment, appears to be a prudent course of
action
that balances the many factors involved in this issue.
At every stage, the United States has consulted extensively at NATO
about
its assessment of ballistic missile threats, the options it is
considering
for a National Missile Defense system, and the implications for arms
control
and nuclear deterrence.
These are complex issues and I believe all NATO Allies have
benefited from
these exchanges. I know the United States intends to continue with
such
consultations in the future and I welcome that commitment to
maintaining an
open and constructive dialogue within NATO.
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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