1.   And it indicated that it was prepared to accept the development of theater defense to protect American troops in Japan.

2.   But the deployment of theater defenses is a big worry for the Chinese.

3.   But the prospect of advanced theater defenses is still a big worry for Beijing.

4.   But they represent a potential platform for a theater missile defense should Washington eventually decide to provide one to Taiwan.

5.   China has protested American plans to create theater missile defense systems with Japan, South Korea and possibly Taiwan to protect allied and American troops based in northeast Asia.

6.   Eventually, we can protect them by projecting theater missile defense from our Aegis ships at sea.

7.   In any case, the administration has no plans to convert theater defenses into national defenses, the official said.

8.   In terms of theater missile defenses, the Clinton administration kept its options open.

9.   Instead, the House voted to give more emphasis to a short-range theater defense against missiles.

10.   It should still be possible, however, to support an accelerated program to produce and deploy theater defenses.