21.   And that means we must rebuild our military instead of run it down and we must move ahead with the missile defense system.

22.   And once equipped with directed missile systems, it will be able to destroy multiple targets from heights out of the range of anti-aircraft weapons.

23.   And while Clinton wants to commit a half-billion dollars to research a missile defense system, Dole wants to start production as soon as possible.

24.   Any missile defense system should be funded rationally and according to clearly defined benchmarks for success.

25.   As in his talk on foreign affairs last week, McCain called for building a missile defense system that would also be extended to American allies around the globe.

26.   At the same forum, Bush also unveiled a national security policy that would reduce the number of US nuclear weapons while creating a costly new missile defense system.

27.   At issue was a plan of the Johnson administration, and later the Nixon administration, to build a missile system to shield the nation from enemy missiles.

28.   Before traveling here to Okinawa, Putin met with Chinese President Jiang Zemin to discuss the U.S. missile defense system.

29.   Behind the scenes, Cheney urged Bush to follow up quickly and unequivocally on his campaign pledge to build an expansive missile defense system.

30.   Beijing in particular stands to pay a high price should American leaders plunge ahead with deployment of the contemplated missile defense system despite its technological inadequacies.