In response to the recent Associated Press article, “U.S. urges Russia to permit changes in ABM Treaty”; I find it contrary of Strobe Talbott, our deputy secretary of state, to “persuade Russia to let the United States amend the anti-ballistic missile treaty.” It is the job of the U.S. Department to assist our elected representatives to defend America and its sovereignty.

The ABM treaty is a null and void document for the following reasons:

1. The trety is unconstituional and therefore illegal and should never have been signed by then President Nixon and considered for ratification by Congress since it violates Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution which states, “The Congress shall have power to … provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.” The ABM treaty states America will not “deploy ABM systems for a defense of the territory of its country. …” The ABM treaty allows for only two deployment areas, Washington, D.C., and the ICBM launch area. Congress does not have the authority to abdicate its responsibility to defend our entire country.

2. For those who prefer to disregard the U.S. Constitution, the ABM treaty is like other agreements by two parties; it is not automatically transferable to a third party. The treaty was an agreement between the “then and now” United States of America and the “then and NOT now” Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. With the death of one of the two parties, the Soviet Union, the treaty has expired.

Our federal government is well aware of these facts but continues to erode our national sovereignty and defense in favor of a global society. The American people have the right to expect the best defense for their entire nation from any foreign threat. Eric R. Greiner Vice-chairman Maine Taxpayers Party Spruce Head