Report: Cohen backs lifeline for U.S. anti-missile program

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Defense Secretary William Cohen will recommend to President Clinton later this week that he keep alive the controversial U.S. National Missile Defense nuclear shield program for this year, the Washington Post reported Sunday.

Cohen is still working on a formal recommendation to Clinton, the newspaper said, but favors a "limited green light" approach so defense contracts can be let this winter.

The move would keep alive the possibility of beginning construction on the anti-missile program next year after a new president takes office.

Late last month, Cohen said Clinton would decide by early September whether to keep the missile defense plan on a fast track for deployment in 2005.

Clinton will, however, leave to his successor the crucial decision on whether and when to begin initial deployment, Cohen said.

The newspaper said Cohen was scheduled to meet this week with his advisers on formulating a final recommendation.

Russia and China bitterly oppose the missile shield program, and European allies are nervous that construction will harm nuclear weapons deterrence.

Russia has refused U.S. calls to amend the 1972 Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty so the United States can go ahead and begin building what it calls a limited defense against future missile attack by states such as North Korea, Iran and Iraq.

U.S. government lawyers have advised Clinton that the United States would not be in violation of the treaty until the actual construction of rails on which a new radar installation in Alaska would move.

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