Disarmament Diplomacy

Issue No. 61, October - November 2001

Documents & Sources

US-Russia Missile Defence Discussions

Bush-Putin Press Conference

'Press Conference by President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Shanghai [APEC Summit], People's Republic of China, October 21, 2001,' White House transcript, October 21.

Remarks by President Putin

"... The consequences of the tragic events of September 11...today are acutely felt in many countries and in all the continents. I think nobody has doubts the unprecedented carnage of the terrorists requires our united efforts, unification of the efforts of international community to fight terrorism. ... We analyzed in detail the developments of the Russia-US dialogue on strategic stability issue. As you remember, during Genoa meeting [in June], there was an agreement...about joint work on strategic offensive and defensive weapons, which are inter-related. And in our assessment, we made progress here. ... We reaffirmed our mutual intention to reduce strategic offensive weapons. And now our task is to develop parameters of such reductions and to design a reliable and verifiable method to reduce nuclear arsenals of Russia and United States. As for the ABM-related issues, we also made some progress - at least, I believe we do have understanding that we can reach agreements, taking into account national interests of Russia, United States, and taking into account the necessity to strengthen international stability in this very important area."

Remarks by President Bush

"... We must truly and finally move beyond the Cold War. Today, after my third meeting with Vladimir Putin in five months, and after the events of the last five weeks, we can report progress toward that goal... Within hours after September 11 attacks, President Putin called. He extended his sympathy and he extended his support. He did something more. He knew that the American military was moving to high alert status. To simplify our situation, to show solidarity, he ordered Russia's military to stop a set of exercises that were getting underway. America, and I in particular, will remember this act of friendship in a time of need. ... Both our nations are working to prevent proliferation and to reduce the threat from Cold War weapon stockpiles throughout the former Soviet Union. We also see progress in our efforts to build a new strategic framework. Today we discussed significantly lowering offensive nuclear weapon arsenals, within a framework that includes limited defenses, defenses that are able to protect both our lands from political blackmail, from potential terrorist attack. Both our nations must be able to defend ourselves against the new threats of the 21st century, including long-range ballistic missiles. The events of September 11 make it clearer than ever that a Cold War ABM Treaty that prevents us from defending our people is outdated, and I believe dangerous. ..."

Questions and Answers

"Question: '... [T]o President Putin, do you agree with President Bush that the ABM, post-September 11, is dangerous to the world?'

President Putin: '... As for the ABM Treaty of 1972, our position is well known... We believe it is an important element of stability in the world. But we agree...that we should think about future. We should look into the future, and we should react adequately to possibly threats in future. And we are prepared to discuss that with our American partners, of course, in case of certain parameters for this discussion is provided to us.'

Question: '... Did you tell Mr. Putin that you would begin the process of withdrawing from the ABM Treaty by the end of the year? And did you give him a figure on missile cuts?'

President Bush: 'Let's see - no, to the second [question]. Let me be a little more expansive. I told Mr. Putin that we are in the process of analyzing our nuclear arsenal, and that I intended to fulfil a campaign promise, which was that we were going to reduce our nuclear arsenal to a level that would help maintain the peace, on the one hand; on the other hand, that would also represent the realities of the 21st century. Secondly, I reiterated exactly what I told Vladimir in Slovenia - that I felt like the ABM Treaty was outmoded and outdated, and it was time for us to see if we couldn't work together to move beyond the ABM Treaty. ... [H]e knows my feelings about the ABM Treaty, and so does America - actually, the world now I think fully understands it. It was a treaty written when our nations hated each other. We no longer hate each other. ... It's also a treaty that prevents peace-loving nations from developing systems necessary to hold terrorists who might acquire weapons of mass destruction to be delivered by ballistic missiles, won't be able to hold them accountable. And we're in a new war, a new environment. And it seems wise to me to react to that environment in a positive way.'

President Putin: '...I agree with many positions that President Bush puts forward, and one cannot but agree with them. ... But it would be difficult for me to agree that some terrorists will be able to capture intercontinental missiles and will be able to use them. So we always have discussions. But our good relations do not impede this process.'"