Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports the coalition of 17 groups says the new system could increase the danger of nuclear war. The Coalition to Reduce Nuclear Dangers says a decision to deploy the proposed limited national missile defense would increase, rather than reduce, nuclear dangers. President Clinton is to decide within the next few months whether to go ahead with the missile defense system.
Advocates say it is needed to ward off threats by so-called rogue states.
Coalition to Reduce Nuclear Dangers Executive Director, Daryl Kimball, says a slim threat from states such as North Korea, Iran, and Iraq exists. This limited missile defense program is not going to be able to successfully deal with that threat because the technology is simply not going to work. It can be overcome by these states even with their more limited technological capabilities. Mr. Kimball says the United States has to be careful not to worsen existing and real nuclear dangers while dealing with these potential emerging threats. U-S officials are trying to get Russia to agree to modify the treaty to allow limited national defenses.