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[Via Communist Internet... http://www.egroups.com/group/Communist-Internet ] [Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ] . . ----- Original Message ----- From: Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Bruce K. Gagnon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2001 6:11 PM Subject: CHINA ANGRY OVER U.S. MISSILE TEST Tuesday December 4 China Fumes Over U.S. Missile Test BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Tuesday it remained staunchly opposed to plans by Washington to develop a national missile defense system after the United States tested its controversial missile defense shield. ``Our position on missile defense is very clear and consistent: we are opposed to the United States building a missile defense system,'' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told a news conference. ``Instead we believe that relevant sides should, through sincere and serious dialogues, seek a solution that does not compromise any side's security interests, nor harm international efforts at arms-control and disarmament,'' she said. The United States said it took a major step forward in testing its controversial missile defense shield on Monday by shooting down a dummy warhead on an intercontinental ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean. Chinese officials have discussed U.S. missile defense plans with their U.S. counterparts but the two sides do not see eye to eye. Both Russia and China oppose U.S. plans to develop a missile shield, saying it would violate the 1972 Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty and could trigger a new arms race. The test is part of President Bush (news - web sites)'s goal of building a limited shield to protect against ballistic missiles from ''rogue'' nations such as North Korea (news - web sites), Iran and Iraq. U.S. officials say the current missile defense tests do not violate the ABM treaty between the United States and the former Soviet Union. That treaty forbids the United States or Russia from developing a national missile defense. But Bush and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld have vowed to move beyond that pact if Moscow and Washington cannot reach agreement on updating it. Despite agreeing to new and deep cuts in offensive nuclear missiles by both countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) and Bush failed to agree on the anti-missile program at a summit in Texas last month, but said discussions would continue. Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space PO Box 90083 Gainesville, FL. 32607 (352) 337-9274 http://www.space4peace.org [EMAIL PROTECTED] ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9WB2D Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
