Daniel Akaka: “In December 2002 President Bush announced his decision to deploy a limited national missile defense system by 2004. Our…”

“In December 2002 President Bush announced his decision to deploy a limited national missile defense system by 2004. Our distinguished colleague, Senator Levin, detailed the limitations of the proposed system and testing procedures in an article in the Detroit News on December 29 entitled, ``Untested Missile Defense Setup Poses Risks.'' I would like to elaborate on some of the concerns raised by the distinguished ranking member of the Armed Services Committee and discuss my concern that this system does nothing to protect my State or other parts of the United States from attack. President Bush's limited national missile defense system, first proposed by the administration in March 2001 and called ``the Alaska Option,'' consists of 5 to 10 silos/interceptor launchers in Fort Greely, AK and an upgraded Cobra Dane radar on Shemya Island, AK.”