The official brushed aside speculation that Clinton was preparing to accept a Russian plan to reduce the number of warheads by far more than envisioned in a 1997 framework agreement for the proposed START III strategic arms reduction pact.

"Our proposal for START III, which we discussed with the Russians, is consistent with the Helsinki framework," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters.

"That is the number we continue to propose in the discussions and which we continue to support."

The Helsinki framework for START III, agreed to by Clinton and former Russian president Boris Yeltsin, would reduce each side's nuclear arsenal to between 2000 and 2,500 warheads from the 3,000 to 3,500 level enshrined in START II.

However, in preliminary START III negotiations, Russia has proposed a further cut of 1,000 warheads.

The Washington Times, citing unnamed officials and a conservative lawmaker, reported Thursday that Clinton wanted to accept the Russian proposal as a carrot to induce Moscow to agree to changes in a 1972 treaty that would allow the United States to deploy an anti-missile shield.

Russia now opposes any amendments to the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty.

The paper said the Pentagon was fighting against the further warhead reduction but was being pressured by the White House to support it because Clinton wanted to conclude an arms control agreement by the end of his term in office.

It quoted Republican Representative Curt Weldon, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, as saying he was "dismayed" and "alarmed" by the alleged proposal, which he said was being considered without consultation with Congress.

The State Department official flatly denied any consideration of unilateral warhead reduction and said the Russian proposal had been rejected.

"We have, as you necessarily would, examined the implications for our force structure and strategic deterrence of what their proposal is, but we have not changed our position," the official said.

"The position that we have taken is the 2000 to 2500" warhead numbers for START III as envisaged by the Helsinki framework, he said.

Asked if Clinton had no new proposals to bring to Moscow, the official replied: "That is essentially the case."

State Department Official Says Missile Shield Inevitable

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