IMPACTS: CHINESE REACTION TO NMD CREATES DANGEROUS MILITARY SITUATIONS IN ASIA

CHINA’S REACTION TO NMD WILL REMILITARIZE ASIA

Samuel R. Berger, President Clinton's national security adviser, February 13, 2001, The Washington Post SECTION: EDITORIAL; Pg. A21 HEADLINE: Is This Shield Necessary? //VT2002acsln

Then there is China. It is suggested that we can work this out with China by at least implicitly giving it a "green light" to build up its ICBM arsenal to levels that would not be threatened by our national missile defense.

This strategy fails to take into account the dynamic it could unleash in Asia: Would China's missile buildup stimulate advocates of nuclear weapons in Japan? How would India view this "separate peace" between the United States and China? What effect would that have on Pakistan and the Koreas?

NMD CAUSED CHINA NUCLEAR BUILD UP WILL PROMOTE THE NUCLEARIZATION OF OTHER ASIAN STATES

Jack Ruina March 04, 2001, The Washington Post SECTION: OUTLOOK; Pg. B03 HEADLINE: 46 Years, No Winners. Aim Elsewhere //VT2002acsln

Although we need not fear the kind of intense arms race we had in the Cold War, it is in our interest to minimize these threats, rather than risk their expansion by pursuing a technology to which those countries will feel the need to respond, in turn triggering buildups in other countries. A further Chinese nuclear buildup, for instance, might well stimulate the Indian and Pakistani nuclear programs. We also want to discourage Russian and Chinese exports of military technology and weapons to Iran, Iraq and elsewhere. And we can use Russian and Chinese support in diplomatic efforts to convince the North Koreans to abandon whatever missile and nuclear weapons ambitions they may harbor. Our European allies, meanwhile, are uneasy at the thought of the U.S. abandoning the ABM Treaty, which they see as having a strong stabilizing effect on the worldwide nuclear balance. They also resent having to accommodate to unilateral U.S. actions that have significant consequences for them.

NMD WILL ISOLATE CHINA AND MAKE IT LESS ABLE TO CONTINUE ITS CURRENT PEACE MAKING EFFORTS IN KOREA

PATRICK E. TYLER, February 28, 2001, The New York Times SECTION: Section A; Page 8; HEADLINE: South Korea Takes Russia's Side in Dispute Over American Plan for Missile Defense //VT2002acsln

It is also possible that Mr. Kim's criticism reflected a general concern in Asia that the American missile defense plans will isolate China by rendering ineffective its tiny nuclear arsenal.

For South Korea, China has played a constructive role in working for Korean reconciliation, treating Kim Jong Il to a tour of booming Shanghai this winter and doing similar missionary work with North Korea's hard-line military leaders. Li Peng, the second ranking member of the ruling Politburo in Beijing, is due in Seoul next month for a state visit.

NMD MEANS NEW TENSIONS IN THE PACIFIC

Greg Torode, January 28, 2001 South China Morning Post SECTION: Pg. 9 HEADLINE: Towards a new Cold War //VT2002acsln

President George W. Bush's desire to push ahead with America's controversial missile defence shield could begin a new era of tension across the Pacific.