The missile buildup, Mr. Feith said, "is maybe having some unintended consequences."

In Moscow last week, Vice President Gore had to publicly remind Prime Minister Chernomyrdin about Iran's "vigorous" nuclear missile buildup.

Worrying that unilateral action on the shield could prompt a Chinese missile buildup, as is then suggested, is pointless.

China will likely attempt a missile buildup no matter what.

Those who closed their eyes to the missile buildup now threatening Taiwan are opening them to the need for selling that democratic ally our Aegis antimissile defense.

Similarly, you cannot intelligently discuss the nuclear ambitions of North Korea and Iran, or China's missile buildup, without trafficking in facts marked classified.

He said Russia was not planning a new missile buildup, which it cannot afford, but "asymmetrical" technologies that would penetrate any missile shield.

"We will by no means tolerate Taiwan independence," he told Mr. Bush, at a moment the administration has been wary of China's missile buildup along the coast opposite Taiwan.

Mr. Chen had solicited American support for a referendum in March on China's missile buildup and the danger the mainland's military posed to Taiwan.

We had no choice other than to approve a military operation to destroy the missile buildup".