The Soviet Union, now Russia, deployed and continues to maintain an ABM system around Moscow. The fundamental concept of the ABM Treaty was that even with these systems deployed, strategic stability would be preserved because vast portions of the territory of both parties would remain vulnerable to missile attack by the other. I am not for a moment suggesting that the system that is presently under development meets all the requirements of the ABM Treaty. No one, no matter how pessimistic, believes that the Russian missile forces will erode down to such a low number any time soon. The fact is that virtually all U.S. territory will remain vulnerable to an attack by the Russian Federation.
Deterrence can continue to operate.
Despite the critics, the fact is that the United States has at least as much motivation as before to conclude arms elimination treaties with Russia and we shall continue working toward that objective. It is for you to judge whether the facts I have set forth in this presentation are sufficient to persuade you that the United States remains committed to nuclear arms control and disarmament. Russian Duma elections occur on the 19th of this month followed by the Russian Presidential elections in June. These Russian elections will be followed by U.S. elections in November of next year. Predictions that progress can be made in the context of these elections just cannot be made with confidence.