ANSWERS: PUTIN WILL RENEGOTIATE AND GET WHAT HE CAN

PUTIN WILL BE FLEXIBLE ABOUT ABM TREATY RENEGOTIATIONS

Bradley Graham; Steven Mufson , February 19, 2000, The Washington Post SECTION: A SECTION; Pg. A16 HEADLINE: Groundwork Is Laid For Possible Summit; Clinton, Putin May Meet If Russian Wins // ACS-LN

After meeting Putin in Moscow earlier this month, Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright and several aides came away encouraged by what they said were signs of flexibility on the ABM issue. The Russian leader was quoted as expressing interest in developing a common threat assessment and considering the U.S. proposals, provided the "fundamental principles" of the ABM Treaty are left intact.

PUTIN IS WILLING TO NEGOTIATE ON THE ABM TREATY

The Toronto Star February 7, 2000, HEADLINE: MOSCOW'S NUCLEAR OFFER // ACS-LN-02-10-00

Better yet, Putin proposed talks to reach a ''common assessment'' of the threat posed by rogue states armed with missiles. The Americans have invested $13 billion in researching missile defences and want to deploy a system, but the Russians fear, with good reason, that this will undermine the Anti- Ballistic Missile treaty, and arms control. Other irritants include the U.S. Senate's recent refusal to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

The Russians make a persuasive case for deeper nuclear cuts, for not trashing the ABM treaty and for ratifying the CTB. The Americans are on weaker ground pushing for new, albeit defensive, weapons.

And neither side is prepared to take the big step, and scrap nukes entirely.

But Putin's willingness to take a fresh look at an important subject, makes sense. It beats rattling nuclear sabres.

PUTIN INDICATES THAT THE USA APPROACH TOWARDS RENEGOTIATING THE ABM TREATY IS ONE HE CAN WORK WITH

Sharon LaFraniere, February 3, 2000, The Washington Post SECTION: A SECTION; Pg. A01 HEADLINE: Albright Hails Putin's Can-Do Style; Diplomat 'Impressed' In Moscow Meeting // ACS-LN-02-10-00

Only yesterday, Putin said the ABM treaty was in danger of collapse. But in today's meeting, he agreed to explore the issue of limited amendments, according to the high-ranking State Department official who was present at the meeting and spoke afterward on condition of anonymity.

"I'm not saying they'd agree" to changing the treaty, the official said, but Putin "was talking like this was a discussion that we could start having more seriously." Putin did not adopt "a dogmatic position that the ABM treaty is unamendable but rather made a general point that the approach we are describing is one they could work with, provided that the fundamental principles of the ABM treaty are protected," the official added.

PUTIN IS FLEXIBLE ON RENEGOTIATING THE ABM TREATY

Sharon LaFraniere, February 3, 2000, The Washington Post SECTION: A SECTION; Pg. A01 HEADLINE: Albright Hails Putin's Can-Do Style; Diplomat 'Impressed' In Moscow Meeting // ACS-LN-02-10-00

U.S. officials emerged from the meeting saying that Putin had shown flexibility regarding U.S. plans to develop a missile defense system, one of the most contentious issues between the two countries. Putin "didn't say no; he left doors open" to discussing changes in the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty that would allow such a system, a senior State Department official said.

PUTIN IS A "CAN DO" FIGURE WHO CAN OVERCOME STRAINED USA-RUSSIA RELATIONS

Barbara Slavin February 3, 2000, USA TODAY SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 13A HEADLINE: Moscow meeting produces praise but little progress // ACS-LN-02-10-00

The aura of mystery around Russia's new leader lifted slightly Wednesday as Secretary of State Madeleine Albright pronounced Vladimir Putin a "can-do" figure capable of getting past a "strange period" of strained U.S.-Russian relations.