-Caveat Lector-
Friday, October 10, 1999 Edition from CNN.com
Missile smashup over Pacific seen as test on nuclear defense
WASHINGTON (AP) - An anticipated collision over the Pacific this
weekend is seen as the first test of a U.S. missile defense
system that critics argue could increase - not reduce - the
nuclear threat it aims to stop.
Launching Saturday night from a California base is a Minuteman
missile that has the potential to carry a nuclear warhead
anywhere in the 50 states. Some 4,300 miles (6,900 kilometers)
away in the Pacific Ocean, a booster rocket will fire an
interceptor.
If the two collide, at a combined speed of 16,000 mph (25,000
kph), the force would reduce both missiles to harmless space dust
140 miles (225 kilometers) above the earth.
The Minuteman has a dummy warhead and a decoy balloon.
The 4,500-mile-per-hour (7,240-kph) intercepting missile - a
55-inch-long (139-centimeter-long), 120-pound (54-kilogram)
device that looks like scuba diving equipment - is a
Raytheon-built Exoatomsopheric Kill Vehicle that will be fired
from Meck Island in the Marshalls.
Supporters of the land-based protective shield that will cost
tens of billions of dollars if fully deployed are looking for a
spectacular success. That would help compel approval by President
Bill Clinton or his successor, and set the United States on a
course of at least limited protection against outside nuclear
attack.
The most ardent proponents look to the test now scheduled
Saturday night as a first step toward reviving a space-based Star
Wars type system, although that is not part of current planning.
The limited ``hit-to-kill'' system is designed to knock down
missiles launched by rogue states or terrorists; it could not
ward off a multimissile attack from a major nuclear power. The
CIA says North Korea, Iran and Syria all are developing
long-range missiles that could hit the United States.
Saturday's test contrasts with earlier tests aimed at
shorter-range launches against U.S. troops in the field. Those
tests have missed more than they have hit.
The Pentagon is playing down expectations for the long-postponed
interceptor test, although even critics of the technology expect
a successful collision.
``This is mainly to see if we can actually hit something,'' said
Lt. Col. Rick Lehner, spokesman for the Pentagon's Ballistic
Missile Defense Organization.
``Even if we miss and we know exactly why we miss, we will
consider it a success,'' he said in an interview Wednesday.
Two more tests are scheduled before a June 2000 deployment
readiness review by the Pentagon and a presidential decision on
initial deployment, expected shortly thereafter.
At least two of the three have to intercept before the Pentagon
will go ahead with broader testing, Lehner said.
Whatever the outcome, the tests are raising political and
practical concerns.
``This represents a serious misalignment between prevailing U.S.
attitudes and prevailing international attitudes,'' said John
Steinbruner, a senior Brookings Institution analyst.
With more weapons and more ways of stopping them, the chance of
nuclear accident increases, Steinbruner said at a news briefing
sponsored by the Union of Concerned Scientists, which opposes the
testing.
Deployment of a possible 20 interceptors in Alaska by 2001, if
approved, would put the United States in violation of the
Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty with Russia, said Steinbruner.
Further deployments also are being considered for North Dakota.
He said the test itself is likely to bring protests from Russia
and China and increase resistance to any change in the ABM treaty
with Russia, which prohibits any system designed to defend the
whole country. The Clinton administration hopes to renegotiate
the treaty in order to allow a limited system.
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FROM THE DESK OF: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
*Mike Spitzer* <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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The Best Way To Destroy Enemies Is To Change Them To Friends
Shalom, A Salaam Aleikum, and to all, A Good Day.
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