BBC News Online: World: Americas

America withdraws from ABM treaty

It was high-profile announcement from Bush

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the move was not unexpected but that he considered it a "mistake".

Both Mr Bush and Mr Putin said that the decision would not undermine Russian national security.

Russia warning

"Defending the American people is my highest priority as commander in chief and I cannot and will not allow the United States to remain in a treaty that prevents us from developing effective defences," Mr Bush said at the White House Rose Garden.

He had informed Congressional leaders of his decision on Wednesday.

Earlier on Thursday, the US ambassador in Moscow delivered a formal document informing the Russian Government of the decision and invoking Article 15 of the treaty, which gives Russia six months' notice before the treaty expires.

"This step was not a surprise for us. However, we consider it a mistake," Mr Putin said in a national television broadcast.

Russia had previously warned that a US withdrawal would trigger a new nuclear arms race and weaken international security.

But Moscow has softened its line in recent months.

The Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Kasyanov, said on Thursday that the decision was "a cause of annoyance" for Moscow, but that Washington was within its rights.

Click here for details of the nuclear balance

President Bush also emphasised that Russia had no reason to fear.

"The Cold War is long gone," Mr Bush said.

"Today we leave behind one of its last vestiges. But this is not a day for looking back. This is a day for looking forward with hope of greater prosperity and peace."

'Agreement with Putin'

The president said that before making his decision he had consulted his security advisers and had discussed the issues with "my friend President Vladimir Putin," over several meetings this year.

But the withdrawal was criticised by Democrat leaders in the American Congress, who worry it could undermine arms control and antagonise Russia and China, despite Mr Bush's assurances.

Mr Bush says that states like North Korea and Iran are ambitiously pursuing weapons of mass destruction and proposes a missile defence system to combat the threat.

Mr Putin has been firmly opposed to the system, saying it would destroy the existing nuclear balance and create a new arms race.

He has said it could eventually undermine the Russian nuclear deterrent.

After President Bush's announcement, the French foreign ministry called for a new international arms agreemeent to replace the ABM.

"Beyond the American-Russian bilateral relationship, the need to continue to ensure stability in this new global context remains a task for us all," the ministry statement said.

"That supposes, in particular, rules and binding international measures, as much bilateral as multilateral."

Sweden criticised the US decision to withdraw. A foreign ministry statement warned of possibly "serious consequences for the future of international disarmament".

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