As political pressure grew in the Clinton administration to pursue an antimissile shield, officials developed plans for a limited system.

It committed itself to deploying an antimissile shield before it devised a test program.

The Korean missile program has been the main threat used in Washington to justify the proposed development of a $60 billion antimissile shield.

He has been cool to the Bush administration's proposed antimissile shield based in Eastern Europe.

But the Russian military establishment continues to express doubt that any American antimissile shield would remain a limited system.

Chinese officials have said they might have to accelerate their own nuclear program if the Americans build an antimissile shield.

But the prevailing response in Europe, where the antimissile shield has been openly opposed over the years, was muted.

A majority said the antimissile shield in space would be worth the money it would cost.

But both sides said they were now focused on the sensitive issue of Taiwan and the Clinton administration's plans for an antimissile defensive shield.

Any decision to deploy the antimissile shield now seems certain to pass out of President Clinton's hands to his successor's.