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RE: talking points on Cochran NMD bill
FR: John Isaacs

On March 19, 1998, Sen. Thad Cochran introduced S.1806, entitled "American
Missile Protection Act of 1998." The bill declares: "It is the policy of the
United States to deploy as soon as technologically possible, a National
Missile Defense system capable of defending the territory of the United
States against limited ballistic missile attack (whether accidental,
unauthorized, or deliberate)." 

The bill is seriously misguided.  Talking points against Cochran bill:  

1.  The bill would mandate deployment if national missile defense is
technologically feasible, whether or not it is affordable.

2.  Even if the system is technologically possible  and affordable, it does
not require an imminent threat which compels deployment now (as opposed to
five, ten or 15 years from now).

3.  Even if the system is feasible and affordable, and the threat is
near-term, this bill could dictate deployment of one technology when that
technology could be superseded by a more sophisticated and effective
technology (akin to buying a working 386 processor when advanced Pentium
computers are being developed).

4.  Even if missile defense is feasible and affordable and appropriate
technology, this bill does not require consideration of negative
consequences resulting from deployment, such as anti-missile deployment
blocking any further reductions in offensive nuclear weapons or destroying
the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.