ANSWERS: RUSSIAN PROTESTATIONS ABOUT THE ABM TREATY ARE JUST PUBLIC POSTURING FOR NEGOTIATIONS

RUSSIA ANTI-RENEGOTIATION RHETORIC IS JUST PUBLIC POSTURING IN THE BARGAINING PROCESS

MICHAEL R. GORDON, The New York Times, October 21, 1999, SECTION: Section A; Page 3; Column 1; HEADLINE: Russians Firmly Reject U.S. Plan to Reopen ABM Treaty // ln-10-29-99-acs

Administration officials say the Russians may be posturing in the hope of undermining public support for antimissile defenses in the United States.

RUSSIANS WILL MAKE AN ABM TREATY DEAL WHEN THEY THINK WE ARE ABOUT TO MAKE A DEPLOYMENT DECISION

ERIC SCHMITT The New York Times January 30, 2000, SECTION: Section 4; Page 4; Testing a Missile And a Treaty //ACS-LN-2/4/2000

But if there's enough doubt the technology will not work, Moscow is likely to agree to only the most modest changes to the treaty. And barring some new unforeseen threat, no one expects Mr. Clinton to make withdrawal from the treaty part of his legacy.

"The Russians don't want a deal until they think we're really, no kidding, going to go ahead with this," said one senior Pentagon official. "The failed test is one more indication that we're not ready."

RUSSIA WILL RENEGOTIATE ABM TREATY AFTER THEY GET CONCESSIONS THEY WANT

William Safire The San Diego Union-Tribune November 5, 1999, SECTION: OPINION Pg. B-8:1,7,8; B-10:2,3 HEADLINE: The urgency of a missile defense // ln-acs-11-11-99

Answer: It's their main leverage on us. Using our outdated treaty with a USSR that no longer exists, Russia will extort the highest price it can in economic and military aid for graciously granting America permission to defend itself against rogue-state missiles. By posing ABM as a matter of principle, B. Yeltsin will respectfully hold us up for all he can.

RUSSIANS ARE JUST POSTURING IN THE ABM RENEGOTIATION IN ORDER TO GAIN CONCESSIONS

Janadas Devan The Straits Times (Singapore), October 31, 1999, SECTION: Review Focus shield"; Pg. 41 HEADLINE: Missile talks up in the air // ln-acs-11-11-99

Former Ambassador James Goodby, the Clinton Administration's former point-man on negotiations with Russia to dismantle nuclear warheads, said: "It is possible the Russians may just be posturing."