Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Editorials
Monday, May 15, 2000China warns against
U.S. missile defenseDESPITE U.S. insistence that the projected missile defense system is intended to protect the nation against attacks by rogue states such as North Korea, China suspects otherwise. Beijing's chief arms control negotiator said the system would pose an unacceptable threat to China's security. Moreover, he warned, its deployment could compel China to expand its own nuclear forces.The issue: China's chief arms control negotiator said U.S. deployment of a missile defense system would pose a threat to China's security and could result in an expansion of China's nuclear forces.
Beijing is of course particularly concerned that the United States might include Taiwan in a missile defense system, which could frustrate China's efforts to intimidate Taiwan into accepting its control.
But Chinese threats are not likely to impress Washington, particularly the Republican-controlled Congress. On the contrary, they are likely to backfire and spark increased efforts to develop and deploy missile defenses.
The Chinese official, Sha Zukang, argued in an interview with the New York Times that the systems under discussion would nullify China's ability to deter nuclear attack -- as if there were any prospect that the United States would mount such an attack. The only conceivable scenario is a prior nuclear attack by China on Taiwan, which would be the height of folly.
Sha noted that American officials have assured China that the defense system would not be directed at China. "For that," he said, "we are happy. But China cannot base its security on assurances only." If the U.S. goes ahead with deployment of the system, "we cannot sit on our hands, watching our security interests compromised."
Blustering rhetoric is a standard technique of the Chinese Communists. It is difficult to take their threats seriously. They may not like deployment of a U.S. missile defense system, but they have no reason to feel threatened by it.
The Pentagon's concern is with the regimes in North Korea, Iraq and Iran, which are violent and unpredictable. Despite recurring friction in Sino-American relations, neither side is about to launch an attack on the other. Beijing knows that Washington isn't going to attack but will oppose any move that strengthens U.S. military forces, especially in the Pacific.
There are indeed difficulties with the development of a missile defense system. Already more than $120 billion has been spent in the program without fielding an effective system, and many billions more will be needed. Even so, questions remain as to its effectiveness.
Of particular concern are issues raised in a report issued by the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Security Studies Program. The report warned that an attacking country could deploy countermeasures that would render the defense system ineffective.
Deploying a system that wouldn't work would be foolish, and the pressure on the president to make a premature decision on deployment should be resisted. But to refuse to deploy one that would effectively serve as a limited shield would be irresponsible and might be politically disastrous. That's why Clinton has supported the development program despite his party's reluctance and may OK deployment before his term ends. Neither China nor Russia should be allowed to cast a veto.
Pakistani coup
PAKISTAN'S Supreme Court has given the military dictator who overthrew the civilian government last October three years to end corruption and return the country to elected leaders.
The court ruled that the widespread corruption under the government of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif justified the coup that ousted him from power. The court also gave the military government authority to change the constitution and "formulate laws for the betterment of the people."
Although the decision serves the purpose of the regime by legitimizing and extending its rule, little protest is expected. Pakistani opinion seems to give a higher priority to stamping out corruption, which has become a major problem, than restoring democracy. This is hardly surprising in a country that has had military rule for 25 years of its 53-year history.
The current ruler, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, in seizing control, accused Sharif of corruption and economic mismanagement. In addition, it appeared that the army resented Sharif's order to end border skirmishes with India over Kashmir. Musharraf may be using Sharif as a scapegoat, perhaps to divert attention from Pakistan's staggering problems.
Sharif was convicted in April on trumped-up charges of hijacking and terrorism and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The charges were linked to an incident on the day of the coup in which Sharif allegedly denied the commercial airliner returning Musharraf to Pakistan permission to land in Karachi. The aircraft landed after the army took power but apparently with only seven minutes of fuel remaining.
In addition, Sharif has been charged with three counts of corruption and at least six additional charges are expected.
The Supreme Court ruling dashes any remaining hopes of an early return to democratic government in Pakistan. It is now up to the military to show that it can achieve improvements in a country sorely in need of effective government.
Published by Liberty Newspapers Limited PartnershipRupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor
