*EPF313 07/25/01
Text: Sen. Allen Says U.S. Should Deploy Missile Defense System
(Virginia Republican's July 24 news release) (410)

Senator George Allen (Republican of Virginia) says the United States should deploy a missile defense system "as soon as it is technologically feasible."

Allen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a July 24 news release that Americans must make sure "that our country continues to be strong enough to defend its security and its interests whenever they are threatened."

Following is the text of the news release:

(begin text)

July 24, 2001
Statement of Senator George Allen
on National Missile Defense

WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senator George Allen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement on the use of a National Missile Defense System, the subject of a committee hearing:

"With the proliferation of missile technology and nuclear weapons of mass destruction, I continue to believe that, as soon as it is technologically feasible, the U.S. should deploy a system that will help keep Americans safe from missile attacks, whether from a major adversary or from a rogue nation. I am encouraged by the recent successful anti-missile defense test this month. I look forward to a 'new reality' modified treaty that will allow us to deploy an air, sea and land-based defense.

"In the 21st Century, America faces new threats, new battlefields and new weapons, and age-old disputes - the world is still a dangerous place. As leaders of this great nation, we must understand that the challenges and threats of this century are far different from those experienced in wars and conflicts of the past century.

"There is a basic, inescapable and gripping truth about the freedom we cherish. We must make sure that our country continues to be strong enough to defend its security and its interests whenever they are threatened.

"Therefore, the U.S. must address threats from cyberterrorists, terrorists using rental vehicles or suitcase bombs, and biological attacks. We need multifaceted assistance from our Intelligence, armed forces and law enforcement agencies and early detection to thwart attacks as well as preparing for defense and recovery if such attacks occur. Also, we should have a defense against weapons of mass destruction."

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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