Weblog
06/24/01 10:59 AM: Missile Defense
WASHINGTON, June 23 – Secretary of State Colin Powell is brushing aside a warning by Russian President Vladimir Putin that he will upgrade his country’s strategic nuclear arsenal if the United States deploys a missile defense system.
PUTIN HAS issued the warning on several occasions, and again on Saturday, but Powell seemed almost dismissive of the Russian leader’s stand when asked about it Friday in an interview with The Associated Press.
“I am not in charge of Russia but I don’t think that’s what they would do,” Powell said. He said he was confident that Putin would not try to enhance Russia’s strategic force once he takes into account the cost. Powell added that Putin also will come to realize that a U.S. missile defense is not a threat to Russia.
