America's new defense system

We applaud U.S. President Bill Clinton's decision to put off construction of the national missile defense (NMD) due to the insufficient consultation with the major powers and America's allies. We hope that the new president who takes office next January will also exercise a similar degree of sensitivity and wisdom.

If the United States were to implement a NMD without undertaking the diplomacy needed to foster a dialogue, there is a strong possibility that China would respond by building up its own nuclear arsenal. There would then be a ripple effect on India and Pakistan.

The proper way to save mankind from the balance of terror is to adopt measures that encourage the five official members of the nuclear club to head steadily down the road of nuclear disarmament. The NMD could neutralize the threat of nuclear weapons. On the other hand, it would defy the will of the international community if it simply serves to set off a nuclear arms race in Asia.

-- The Mainichi Shimbun, Tokyo