Russia calls for missile talks

Bush: 'Rogue states' threaten security

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Russia has said it is keen to talk with U.S. President George W. Bush about his plan to press ahead with a national missile defence system.

In the Kremlin's first official response since Bush underlined his determination to press head with the plan, it said it "welcomed consultations with Americans," but insisted on "keeping and strengthening" the existing Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty.

The response marks a toning-down of rhetoric from the Russians, who had been saying Bush's plan would lead to a new arms race.

Bush indicated in a speech on Tuesday that would pull out of the 1972 ABM treaty.

VIDEO Watch Bush's speech at the National Defense University (May 1) Play video (Part 1) (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Play video (Part 2) (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     AUDIO CNN's Steve Harrigan: Russia is willing to work on international security with the U.S. 408K/38 sec. AIFF or WAV sound   TRANSCRIPT President Bush speech on missile defense     RESOURCES Q&A: National Missile Defense     MESSAGE BOARD Missile defense system    IN-DEPTH Missile defense: Europe's view   •  U.S., Europe tension   •  Plan sparks Europe fears   •  Q&A: Missile defense   •  Text of ABM treaty   •  How system would work   •  Missile defence in action

Russia's Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said he expected Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet in "the very near future."

"We are ready for consultations, we are ready to set out our position," Reuters quoted Ivanov as saying on Wednesday.

He added: "This document (the ABM treaty) cannot be seen separately from the general architecture of disarmament. That is why we are so insistent in keeping and strengthening ABM."

He also said his country was willing to go beyond the reduction in the number of warheads proposed by Bush, to 1,500.

Elsewhere, allies of the U.S. reacted cautiously to Bush's statement made at the National Defense University in which he said he planned to go-ahead with NMD -- while discussing its development.

Many European countries fear the NMD system could set off a destabilising global arms race, especially because it would involve scrapping the 1972 ABM treaty.

While key U.S. allies did not endorse Bush's latest statements they also have welcomed his plans for consultations.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair shared U.S. concerns about "rogue" states, his spokesman said.

Bush's plan was also cautiously greeted by UK Foreign Minister Robin Cook, who said he welcomed his commitment to reduce nuclear weapons, and also his commitment to "early consultations at a senior level on missile defence."

His sentiments were echoed by NATO chief Lord George Robertson.

The process of consultation could begin as early as next week when Bush plans to send high-level delegations to several European capitals to discuss the NMD proposal.

Interests of peace

Much of the concern in Europe is focused on Bush's declaration that the anti-ballistic missile treaty was outdated.

Bush said in Tuesday's speech that "no treaty that prevents us from addressing today's threats, that prohibits us from pursuing promising technology to defend ourselves, our friends and our allies is in our interests or in the interests of world peace."

The president also called for a reduction in the nation's nuclear stockpile, although he did not cite precise numbers.

Germany's foreign minister expressed concern over plans to scrap the anti-ballistic missile treaty.

"An effective, treaty-based arms control and disarmament regime must be preserved and expanded, including effective and verifiable prevention of proliferation" of nuclear weapons, said Joschka Fischer.

Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the 15-nation European Union, said: "We urge President Bush to abstain from the National Missile Defence, just as we urge China, India and Pakistan to discontinue their nuclear arsenals."

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the system would "inevitably impact global security and strategic stability."

He added there was a need to "consolidate and build upon existing disarmament and non-proliferation agreements."

Annan appealed to all countries to avoid a new arms race and start negotiating irreversible disarmament agreements.

China has not yet commented on Bush's announcement, but its reaction is expected to be negative, says Oksana Antonenko from the International Institute of Strategic Studies.

She said the international environment had changed since the treaty was signed during the Cold War in 1972.

Among those to support Bush's plan was Australia, which said it would allow the U.S. to use joint military bases in Australia for the planned missile shield.

"This would simply be the continuation of a ballistic missile early warning partnership we have shared with the U.S. over 30 years, a partnership which makes a significant contribution to global strategic stability," said a spokeswoman for Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.

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White House
Bush's NMD Speech
NATO
British Prime Minister
European Union
European Union

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