21.   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.

22.   Washington claims that an antimissile defense system will not be directed against Russia and is a defensive measure to assure U.S. national security against new, post-Cold War threats.

23.   With strong support for an antimissile defense in the Republican-dominated Congress, financing is not a problem.

24.   A decision on whether to proceed with antimissile defenses is to be made by next summer.

25.   The reason for deploying antimissile defenses, he said, is to protect U.S. territory against a small-scale attack by North Korea, Iran or Iraq.

26.   Those reports have strengthened support here for an antimissile defense, although many question the effectiveness of systems now available and some balk at its high price tag.