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To: long-gone who wrote (56375)	7/17/2000 3:41:57 PM
From: Rarebird	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 116815

Talking About IRAN: Cohen says Iran missile test proves need for NMD Sunday, July 16, 2000 10:36 PM EDT SYDNEY, Australia, July 17 (UPI) -- Defense Secretary William Cohen said Iran's test of the medium-range Shahab-3 shores up the U.S. argument that it needs to develop a defense against an enemy missile attack. "This confirms our anticipation; we have to take it into account," Cohen said. "We pointed to Iran and its testing of the Shahab-3 as one of the reasons it is important for the United States to research, develop and deploy a (National Missile Defense) system." He said the United States was not surprised by the test and would not speculate whether is was timed to affect the Middle East peace negotiations at Camp David or U.S. debate over NMD. Iran tested the Shahab-3 Saturday, according to the Iranian government. It was the first test since a failure in 1998, according to the United States. The missile has a range of less than 1,000 miles and cannot reach the United States as could an intercontinental missile against which NMD is being designed. However, Iran is believed to be working on a much longer-range missile, the Shahab-4. Iran asserts that rocket will be for boosting satellites to space only. Within a month Cohen will tell President Clinton whether the Pentagon has sufficient confidence in the missile intercept system to merit pushing ahead with deployment in 2005. The system has had only one successful intercept test in three tries, with the latest failure occurring July 8. Cohen said the United States has not begun selling arms to Indonesia again, but is re-engaging Indonesia's military "step by step." "We are not considering selling arms to Indonesia at this point," Cohen said. Cohen traveled to Australia to sign a "statement of principles" with Australian Defense Minister John Moore. The statement paves the way for the United States to loosening export regulations on certain military items, obviating the need for U.S. companies to apply for export licenses -- a time consuming process -- when selling to Australia. The relaxation will take place only after Australia tightens its own export laws to be certain no U.S. technology winds up in the wrong hands. "We think this will help both countries improve the sharing of their technology and provide an incentive for other coutnries to improve internal export regulations," said Pete Verga, deputy under secretary of defense for policy support. The agreement follows Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's announcement in May that export restrictions on items covered by the International Trafficking in Arms Regulation would be lifted for NATO members and Australia. The United Kingdom and Australia are the first countries to begin working with the United States to change the laws. Moore said the agreement will give Australia much better access to sophisticated U.S. military technology. The Australian military "is very small in size and so very dependent on good technology. We must invest in the best," Moore said. "It's pretty clear (the United States) has the best technology." "In the past there were certain areas that just haven't been frankly available," Moore said. Of particular interest to Australia are combat systems and radars for its controversial new Collins class of attack submarines. Australia will buy six of the ships, which have suffered from noise and other problems, according to Moore. (c) 2000 UPI All rights reserved. PS The US Senate rejected more stringent NMD testing on July 13 by a 52-48 vote.