Washington, Dec 18, 2002 - The Administration's plan to deploy its unproven National Missile Defense (NMD) program by 2004 is nothing more than on deploying an expensive myth in the absence of true international cooperation, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) stated today.

Kucinich, Ranking Member of the Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations, today issued the following statement:

"The Administration's plan for a National Missile Defense is nothing more than deploying an expensive myth in the absence of true international cooperation.

"The reality is that it is not National Missile Defense but, with its track record of total failure it would be better called 'National Mythic Defense'.

"The Administration's 'National Mythic Defense' has a well documented record failure and no NMD system has successfully completed a live-fire test. Furthermore, yesterday's assertion by the Administration that deploying technology that is a proven failure is, 'better than nothing' is an inexcusable waste of taxpayers money.

"The reality is that there are few countries in the world with the capability to strike the United States with a ballistic missile. The United States must work with these countries and encourage them to reduce their nuclear arsenals, not create an atmosphere that could create another nuclear arms race.

"Recent actions, such as the withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty and the new Nuclear Posture Review which advocates a first strike policy, put the United States at direct odds with nuclear powers Russia and China. In addition to the recent freeze in diplomatic relations with North Korea, creates a reality that a mythical missile defense will never be able to protect the United States from.

"The United States must work with the international community to continue efforts towards nuclear abolishment. Yesterday's announce taken in light of the United States' withdrawal from the ABM treaty and the Nuclear Posture Review create a new arms race no one can win."