Usa Gives Up A Number Of Nmd Tests: Rumsfeld

The USA has lately given up a number of tests related to its national missile defence programme not to trespass the 1972 ABM treaty, Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defence, said to a Pentagon news briefing. Nevertheless, the country cannot stay within stringent ABM limits any longer, and is firmly determined to carry on NMD efforts as it announced on many previous occasions, he added. The ABM issue will be among top agenda priorities as Russia's President Vladimir Putin visits the United States, said the Defence Secretary. He refused to say whether the USA means to bang the door on the treaty or merely have it amended to authorise NMD tests. The matter depends on negotiations with Russia, pointed out Mr. Rumsfeld.