U.S. Quits Anti-Missile Treaty

An administration official said that the United States formally notified Russia of its intention to withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

President George W. Bush plans to scrap the ABM treaty because it would prevent construction of an anti-missile shield, something he's long wanted to build.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the U.S. withdrawal "a mistake" but said the decision doesn't surprise Russia. He added that the treaty is a cornerstone to world security.

Announcing the decision, Bush said that his administration "has concluded that the ABM treaty hinders our government's ability to protect ourselves from rogue states and terrorists."

The administration claims the Sept. 11 attacks make it clear that the greatest threat, in Bush's words, "comes from terrorists who seek the ability to deliver death to our door via missile."

The treaty, often known as a cornerstone of the Cold War, was signed in 1972 and a reaction to the then-accelerating arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Bush effectively invoked a clause in the treaty that allows either America or Russia to withdraw after giving six months' notice.

Bush said the treaty was signed "in a much different time, a vastly different world -- one signatory, the Soviet Union, no longer exists -- neither does the hostility."

Bush pointed out that a new, friendly relationship between the United States and Russia makes the treaty less important. Russia is in the midst of forming free markets, he said, and has been a strong ally in the fight against terrorism.

Bush plans to go to Russia to broker a formal agreement that will take the place of the ABM treaty.

Democrats Blast Decision To Withdraw

Top Senate Democrats aren't happy with the decision to withdraw from the ABM treaty.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle is worried that it raises the prospect of a new arms race involving other countries.

Speaking in a CNN interview, Daschle said, "It would be a real setback for defense and foreign policy to violate the ABM treaty."

Daschle also called the move "a slap in the face for many people who have committed years, if not decades," to arms control.

Daschle said it also sends the wrong message about the U.S. willingness to abide by long-term treaties it has signed.

He said he's also concerned that foreign leaders were advised of the administration's decision before members of Congress were.

That concern is echoed by the chairmen of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph Biden said such a move would be a mistake economically, politically and militarily.

But Biden said the president's missile shield would do nothing, for instance, against anybody who'd want to fire a short-range missile at the United States from off the coast.

Congress Passes Defense Bill

The House has approved a $343 billion defense authorization bill, representing a 10 percent increase from this year's spending level, that will give Bush all the money he wants for his missile defense plan.

The package includes full funding of Bush's missile defense proposal, as well as the largest military pay hike in two decades.

The bill also calls for some more military base closings, which did not sit well with many lawmakers. The closings would occur in 2005 -- two years later than Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld wanted.

Rumsfeld had indicated he would recommend a presidential veto if base closings weren't part of the bill.

Asked whether his veto recommendation still stands, Rumsfeld said, "I'm going to have to sleep on that."