May 12, 2005
China has rejected American efforts to persuade the North Koreans not to test nuclear weapons.
The decision undercuts a crucial Bush administration tactic even as American intelligence agencies are trying to determine whether North Korea is actually preparing for a nuclear test.
It’s difficult to believe that one communist nation would undercut another, since both view the United States as an enemy.
China presents the biggest and longest-term threat.
With more than a billion people and a growing economy, helped by American companies doing business with them, China is building an arsenal we may someday have to confront.
The best thing America can do for itself is to continue development of a missile shield.
If we are successful in doing that, it will tell other nations that any nuclear attack on us not only will be repelled, but will be a suicidal act on the part of the country launching such missiles.
Ronald Reagan had the right idea about a missile shield.
George W. Bush should see it through to completion.
I’m Cal Thomas in Washington.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C. Watch his television show, After Hours with Cal Thomas, on the Fox News Channel, Saturdays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.
