    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [June 13, 2002]
    [Page 985]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Formal Withdrawal From the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile
    Treaty
    June 13, 2002

        Six months ago, I announced that the United States was withdrawing
    from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, and today that
    withdrawal formally takes effect. With the treaty now behind us, our
    task is to develop and deploy effective defenses against limited missile
    attacks. As the events of September 11 made clear, we no longer live in
    the cold war world for which the ABM Treaty was designed. We now face
    new threats, from terrorists who seek to destroy our civilization by any
    means available to rogue states armed with weapons of mass destruction
    and long-range missiles. Defending the American people against these
    threats is my highest priority as Commander in Chief.
        The new strategic challenges of the 21st century require us to think
    differently. But they also require us to act. I call on the Congress to
    approve the full amount of the funding I have requested in my budget for
    missile defense. This will permit the United States to work closely with
    all nations committed to freedom to pursue the policies and capabilities
    needed to make the world a safer place for generations to come.
        I am committed to deploying a missile defense system as soon as
    possible to protect the American people and our deployed forces against
    the growing missile threats we face. Because these threats also endanger
    our allies and friends around the world, it is essential that we work
    together to defend against them, an important task which the ABM Treaty
    prohibited. The United States will deepen our dialog and cooperation
    with other nations on missile defenses.
        Last month, President Vladimir Putin and
    I agreed that Russia and the United States would look for ways to
    cooperate on missile defenses, including expanding military exercises,
    sharing early warning data, and exploring potential joint research and
    development of missile defense technologies. Over the past year, our
    countries have worked hard to overcome the legacy of the cold war and to
    dismantle its structures. The United States and Russia are building a
    new relationship based on common interests and, increasingly, common
    values. Under the Treaty of Moscow, the nuclear arsenals of our nations
    will be reduced to their lowest levels in decades. Cooperation on
    missile defense will also make an important contribution to furthering
    the relationship we both seek.