INHERENCY: BUSH WILL WORK FOR NMD PASSAGE

BUSH VOWS FOR A QUICK MISSILE DEFENSE PROGRAM WHICH ALSO PROTECTS ALLIES

Robert Tait January 22, 2001, The Scotsman SECTION: Pg. 9 HEADLINE: TOUGH GUY BUSH REACHES FOR STARS AND SETS OFF ALARM BELLS AROUND THE WORLD //VT2002acsln

For Mr Bush and co, missile defence - a concept that has been knocking around for a generation - is an idea whose time has come. The new president made his preferences explicit in a speech at Washington's national press club during the campaign, when he said: "America must build effective missile defences, based on the best available options, at the earliest possible date. Our missile defence must be designed to protect all 50 states - and our friends and allies and deployed forces overseas - from missile attacks by rogue nations, or accidental launches."

DEPLOYMENT OF AN NMD SYSTEM WILL REQUIRE THE TOTAL DEDICATION OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION

Robert Kagan and William Kristol; January 22, 2001 The Weekly Standard SECTION: EDITORIAL; Pg. 9 HEADLINE: The Good Fight //VT2002acsln

Missile Defense: Bush did make clear during his campaign that he intended to build a missile defense system, that he thought the plan devised by the Clinton administration was inadequate, and that a Bush administration would not be bound, as Clinton allowed himself to be, by an obsolete Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. This was the right position to take. We assume he and his advisers know how difficult it will be to make good on these essential commitments now that he is president. Bush will face strong resistance in Congress, not only from liberal and moderate Democrats but also from Republican moderates and budget hawks. And at present, American allies are lined up with Russia and China in their opposition to missile defense. Although there will be room for some clever diplomacy and some smart political maneuvering, this is not an issue that ultimately can be finessed or settled quietly in the back room. It is a big, controversial issue. President Bush will have to make clear, from the very beginning of his presidency, that he will commit every political and financial resource necessary to build an effective missile defense for the United States, its troops abroad, and its allies. If he doesn't put himself on the line, and right away, it will not happen.