Heads Of State: After the ABM Treaty, More Trouble Ahead

President Bush's announcement on Thursday that the U.S. will withdraw from the 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty in six months caused surprisingly few ripples. But that may not last. Russian President Vladimir Putin's response was relatively mild, partly because the Administration had smoothed the way beforehand. Secretary of State Colin Powell informed Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov two weeks ago of the impending move. Powell then held a series of meetings designed to soften the blow by focusing attention on another deal that both sides committed to last month: mutual cuts in offensive nuclear weapons. Putin stressed Thursday that he wanted the...

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