Terri
05-21-2003, 08:25 AM
White House Outlines Missile Defense Policy
By Bobby Eberle
Talon News
May 21, 2003
WASHINGTON (Talon News) -- Calling the defense of the American people against new and emerging threats the "highest priority," the Bush administration Tuesday outlined its policy for developing a national missile defense program.
In addressing the need for missile defenses, the White House recalled the events of September 11 as demonstrating that the security environment is "more complex and less predictable" than in the past. "We face growing threats from weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the hands of states or non-state actors, threats that range from terrorism to ballistic missiles intended to intimidate and coerce us by holding the U.S. and our friends and allies hostage to WMD attack," the statement reads.
The White House noted that hostile regimes, including those that sponsor terrorism, are investing "large resources" to develop and acquire ballistic missiles of "increasing range and sophistication." The administration also points out that many of these same regimes currently have chemical, biological, and/or nuclear weapons programs.
"[O]ne of the factors that make long-range ballistic missiles attractive as a delivery vehicle for weapons of mass destruction is that the United States and our allies lack effective defenses against this threat," the administration says.
Full Story (http://www.gopusa.com/news/2003/may/0521_missile_defense .shtml)
By Bobby Eberle
Talon News
May 21, 2003
WASHINGTON (Talon News) -- Calling the defense of the American people against new and emerging threats the "highest priority," the Bush administration Tuesday outlined its policy for developing a national missile defense program.
In addressing the need for missile defenses, the White House recalled the events of September 11 as demonstrating that the security environment is "more complex and less predictable" than in the past. "We face growing threats from weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the hands of states or non-state actors, threats that range from terrorism to ballistic missiles intended to intimidate and coerce us by holding the U.S. and our friends and allies hostage to WMD attack," the statement reads.
The White House noted that hostile regimes, including those that sponsor terrorism, are investing "large resources" to develop and acquire ballistic missiles of "increasing range and sophistication." The administration also points out that many of these same regimes currently have chemical, biological, and/or nuclear weapons programs.
"[O]ne of the factors that make long-range ballistic missiles attractive as a delivery vehicle for weapons of mass destruction is that the United States and our allies lack effective defenses against this threat," the administration says.
Full Story (http://www.gopusa.com/news/2003/may/0521_missile_defense .shtml)