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| On December 13 , 2001, the Bush administration
notified Russia that the United States would withdraw from the 1972
Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, thus paving the way for full testing and deployment of a national ballistic
missile defense system.
The treaty provides for such a withdrawal with six months notice.
The move was opposed by Russia, but viewed with some resignation. The United States and Russia have moved much closer to one another since the outbreak of hostilities in Afghanistan. Some analysts believe the announcement will not undermine improved relations, despite criticism by Russian conservatives. In recent months, Russia and the United States have both agreed to work to reduce their respective nuclear stockpiles from more than 6,000 warheads to less than 2,000. The Bush administration has also refrained from criticizing Russia's war in Chechnya, promoted closer ties between Russia and NATO, and promoted Russian entrance into the World Trade Organization (WTO). -- 12/13/01 |
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