Page 4 - AT

A4 U.S. NEWS
Saturday 15 February 2020
Trump still hoping for U.S.-

Russia-China nuclear arms pact

By DEB RIECHMANN The administration official, moving ahead very quickly
Associated Press who spoke only on condi- on every type of advanced
WASHINGTON (AP) — The tion of anonymity accord- platform and weapons sys-
White House has not made ing to White House ground tem known to man, wheth-
a decision about whether rules, said the U.S. and Rus- er it's space-based, cyber-
to extend the only treaty sia support the idea of en- based, all different types of
that constrains U.S. and gaging China to avert a kinetic systems."
Russian nuclear forces be- costly nuclear arms race. "I think we're hopeful that if
cause administration of- American allies, however, we can move forward with
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with ficials want more time to also are concerned that the Russians ... that there
Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno in the Oval Office of the coax China into a three- the Trump administration will be pressure on the Chi-
White House, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Washington. way arms control pact. will not take Moscow up nese, or there will be a de-
Associated Press China, which is poised to on its offer to extend the sire on the Chinese part not
at least double the size of New START treaty for up to to ... incur the expense of
its nuclear stockpile in the five years. The treaty, which an arms race."
next decade, has not pub- governs the number of U.S. It's unclear how much time
licly expressed any interest and Russian strategic nu- the Trump administration is
in such talks. A senior ad- clear weapons, expires in willing to wait on the Chi-
ministration official, who February 2021. nese to engage in an arms
briefed reporters at the "So far — and this is not control discussion. As the
White House on Friday, said surprising — the Chinese treaty's expiration date
Beijing's continued silence are not interested in arms nears, the U.S. might agree
only raises questions about control," national security to extend New START to
its intentions and will force adviser Robert O'Brien said provide more time to get
America to strengthen its earlier this week at the At- China into a three-way
deterrence and military lantic Council. "They've got agreement, the administra-
readiness. the money, and they're tion official said.q
Esper defends shifting defense

funds for Trump’s border wall

Esper spoke on the side-
lines of an international
security conference in
Munich.
The Pentagon announced
on Thursday that Esper ap-
proved shifting $3.8 billion
in funds that Congress
had previously authorized
for F-35 fighter aircraft and
other military programs.
The money is being di-
verted to help the Depart-
ment of Homeland Secu-
rity build portions of the
border wall. The Pentagon
U.S. Secretary for Defense Mark Esper speaks during a press
conference on the first day of the Munich Security Conference indicated that more such
in Munich, Germany, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. actions could be com-
Associated Press ing to provide additional
funding for Trump's signa-
By ROBERT BURNS cans in Congress, includ- ture campaign promise.
AP National Security Writer ing Rep. Mac Thornberry, The action drew sharp re-
MUNICH, Germany (AP) a Republican from Texas, bukes from Democrats as
— U.S. Defense Secretary who called the diversion well as Republicans.
Mark Esper on Friday de- of funds contrary to the "Today's reprogramming
fended his decision to constitutional authority of request confirms once
divert billions of dollars in Congress. again that the President
funding for Navy and Air "Border security is national is obsessed with fulfilling
Force aircraft and other security," Esper said, "and a campaign promise at
military programs to help national security is our mis- the expense of our nation-
pay for President Donald sion." al security," Rep. Adam
Trump's promised wall on He added, "The action Smith of Washington, the
the U.S.-Mexico border. we took is legal under the Democratic chairman of
Esper was asked by a re- law, and so it should be no the House Armed Servic-
porter about criticism from surprise, and I'll just leave it es Committee, said in a
Democrats and Republi- at that for now." statement. q