China declines U.S. proposal to not target missiles

November 25, 1996
Web posted at: 3:20 p.m. EST (2020 GMT)

MANILA, Philippines (CNN) -- The United States was unable to arrange a non-targeting agreement with China on nuclear weapons in advance of the latest round of talks between U.S. and Chinese leaders, according to an article in Newsweek magazine.

Asked about the report, Assistant Secretary of State Winston Lord said, "We would favor a de-targeting agreement with the Chinese, even as we have one with the Russians."

Lord said no such agreement had been reached but that the United States would "keep working at it."

An agreement between the United States and China to point nuclear weapons away from each other's borders would be largely symbolic, since neither side is aiming missiles at the other and both countries could quickly retarget their weapons if necessary.

 

Related stories:

• U.S and China friendlier, but not 'partners' - November 21, 1996
• US: China is observing arms control deals - October 9, 1996

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• U.S. State Department

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