Democrats Urge Probe of Missile Tests

WASHINGTON — More than 50 House Democrats urged the FBI on Thursday to investigate “serious allegations of fraud and cover-up” in development of a national missile defense system.

The Air Force general in charge of developing the system, Lt. Gen. Ronald Kadish, denied any deception and told Congress such allegations already have been disproved.

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.), meanwhile, said he is “not going to be outraged” if President Clinton leaves a decision on the system to the next president.

Congressional Republicans have been pushing Clinton to approve this year a system to protect all 50 states from limited nuclear missile attack. Lott is the first high-ranking Republican to suggest that a delay might be acceptable.

Support for the system has been mixed among Democrats, with opponents citing reports questioning whether the planned system of interceptor missiles would work and whether the Pentagon is objectively weighing test results.