01 June 2001

Rumsfeld, Rice Discuss Policy Threats and Challenges

Washington -- President Bush's two top national security affairs advisers addressed delegates at a CNN Conference June 1 about foreign policy issues driving news headlines around the world in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.

National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said she was "the high priestess of arms control" during the Cold War era when arms control agreements and associated summits "were a way that the world could avoid the apocalypse." Like many others in that period, she said, she "eagerly anticipated those breathtaking moments of summitry where the centerpiece was always the signing of the latest arms control agreement" and for a few brief moments the world took comfort in the seeing "the superpowers affirm their peaceful intent."

The former Soviet specialist said, "arms control was a poor substitute for a real shared agenda based on common aspirations, but it was the best way any one could think of to manage the balance of terror." Those arms control regimes were useful for that time, Rice said, but now "we must deal with ... today's threats, including weapons of mass destruction and missiles in the hands of states that would blackmail us and keep us from coming to the aid of our friends and allies."

The elements of the Cold War arms control regimes worth keeping will be kept, she said, declaring, "those arms control ideas or treaties that respond to today's realities and build tomorrow's security we will advance and support."

Rice said the United States needs to work with its allies and friends including Russia and China "to build a new foundation for peace and security in the 21st century." Dealing with the current threats requires a comprehensive strategy, she said, "that includes strengthened non-proliferation and counter-proliferation measures because there has been some leakage and failures associated with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty regime and the Missile Technology Control Regime." She also addressed the need for a new concept of deterrence that includes defenses and a smaller nuclear arsenal. It is important to bring nuclear reductions to the table, she added.

Rice also said "we need a normal relationship with Russia" based on issues such a trade and common values such as a free press and freedom of religion, rather than one based on distrust and vulnerability. "We cannot cling to the old order," the adviser said, because the strategic world of the past has been turned upside down.

Pointing the way ahead, Rice said "we must be free to defend our people, our forces, and our allies with missile defenses. All responsible states should have the right to do so." The theme of this argument is part of the dialogue now taking place with European and Asian allies and friends, she said, as well as with Russia, China and the U.S. Congress. "Across the board, the conversation is proving to be substantive, respectful and educational for all sides," the official added.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who also addressed conference delegates, underlined the administration's argument that "proliferation is pervasive." Like Rice, he said, "I don't think vulnerability is a (viable) policy." A way must be found to deal with the weapons that are proliferating, he added.

With respect to missile defense, the secretary said "it isn't a shield" and it won't change the dynamics between the United States and Russia. He also said it is the intension of the U.S. to reduce its number of nuclear weapons.

Rumsfeld said he expects to discuss missile defense and the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM) with his Russian counterpart in Brussels the first week of June. Technology has changed enormously since the ABM was conceived as a strategic cornerstone of U.S-Soviet relations, he said, and at some point U.S. research and development on missile defenses will bump against what the treaty authorizes.

Both Rumsfeld and Rice were asked about NATO enlargement. Rumsfeld, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, said the enlargement issue is on the agenda for 2002. He said he favors enlargement of the alliance from its present size.

Rice said the new members who joined during the most recent enlargement round made NATO more vital and vibrant. It was like "a shot in the arm," she said. She also said President Bush is committed to continuing the enlargement process but no decisions have been made regarding who should come next or when.

Both officials were also asked about U.S. policy in the Middle East. Rice said President Bush is absolutely committed to helping the Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace and that there is a real opportunity for the U.S. to help the process in the wake of the Mitchell Commission Report. She said the President has spent much time telephoning the leaders on both sides urging them to bring a halt to the violence, so that they may move on to confidence-building measures, and other measures aimed at bringing about a comprehensive peace.

Asked about Lebanon, she expressed U.S. support for rebuilding the country so that it is stable with greater control over its own territory, but she also noted that there is hard economic reform work to be done there with the International Monetary Fund.

Asked about Taiwan-Chinese tensions, Rice said the issue has to be settled peacefully and no one should try to change the status quo. She said Bush administration officials are hoping to see an active and successful cross-straits dialogue. With respect to Asia more generally, she said the United States will remain in the region as a stabilizing force. "We are not going anywhere," she added.

The United States has tried to be supportive of the reform agenda in China and hopes that it will continue, Rice added. "The President will shortly certify that he wishes to extend normal trade relations again to China as another step as we await WTO (World Trade Organization) accession," she added.

Rumsfeld sought to clarify some of his comments on peacekeeping deployments. He said the United States is not going to do anything precipitous in Bosnia, but he expressed his concern about the long-term implications of indefinite peacekeeping assignments on U.S. forces and equipment. Despite his concerns, he said, "we don't intend to go isolationist."

Both speakers answered questions about Ukraine, which is another planned stop on Rumsfeld's European trip. Rice said Ukraine is an extremely important country and that although there has been some disappointment about ongoing reports of corruption there, the United States is committed to Ukrainian efforts to reform the government and the economy. She also said President Bush will be talking to other European allies about Ukraine on his upcoming trip to Europe.