WASHINGTON – President Clinton yesterday said he would share the secrets of a new missile defense system with allies – and maybe even Russia – because “it would be unethical” to keep it only for America.
“We’ve done a lot of information sharing already with the Russians,” Clinton said in Lisbon after meeting with European leaders. “We have offered to do more, and we would continue to do so.”
But afterward, the White House couldn’t explain exactly how Clinton proposed to share the secrets of the system, once dubbed Star Wars, which is intended to intercept incoming missiles.
“I don’t think the ideas are formulated to the point that I can articulate beyond the president’s statement today, where he’s committed to sharing technology,” said White House spokesman Joe Lockhart.
But when Clinton was asked if he would share the secrets with allies, the president replied that he would do so with all “civilized nations.”
“I think it would be unethical not to do so. That’s always been my position, and I think that is the position of everyone in this administration.”
George W. Bush, Vice President Al Gore’s presidential rival, has gone further. He says the U.S. missile shield should also protect America’s overseas allies.
Lockhart said there “is a difference” between Clinton’s position of sharing secrets and Bush’s call for using the U.S. shield to protect allies.
Bush spokesman Scott McClellan said, “Gov. Bush has made it clear that he’ll work with our friends and allies to build a missile defense system to protect us from rogue or accidental launches.”
The Bush spokesman said cooperation with Russia is possible, “so long as Russia breaks its habit of proliferation and sharing technology.”
Advocates say the new post-Cold War world requires a different kind of defense to guard against missiles launched by terrorists.
The missile defense system is expected to be a central and contentious issue this weekend, when Clinton holds his first summit with new Russian President Vladimir Putin.