1.   China has objected to proposed theater missile defenses, local systems intended to protect American allies in Asia from missile attacks.

2.   Clinton also agreed to set key testing constraints to define the difference between antiballistic missiles and theater missiles, another sticking point in the Russian parliament.

3.   Nor is a theater missile system for Taiwan at hand.

4.   On the ABM issue, Yeltsin agreed to a definition of the shorter-range theater missiles that will allow the U.S. to proceed with its program.

5.   Technological advances have blurred the distinction between the traditionally longer-range ballistic missiles and shorter-range theater missiles.

6.   The aim is to rehearse the procedures for coordinating Russian and U.S. theater missile defenses against a common foe, U.S. officials said.

7.   They had been wanting to abandon it so the U.S. could do more research on theater missiles.

8.   However, President Clinton and Russian President Boris Yeltsin agreed at their Helsinki Summit in March to development of the shorter-range rockets, called theater missiles.

9.   The Army had a lot of data on long-range missiles but until recently had not focused on short-range or theater missile defense.

10.   The partial accord defines low-speed theater missiles and lists a series of confidence-building measures.