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Washington, Sept. 1 (CNA) US President Bill Clinton emphasized Friday that America must consider the impact on Asian security of a decision to deploy a National Missile Defense (NMD) system in Asia.

In an address at Georgetown University, Clinton announced that he had decided not to authorize NMD deployment, because "I simply cannot conclude, with the information I have today, that we have enough confidence in the technology and the operational effectiveness of the entire NMD system to move forward to deployment."

But the president pointed out that "no nation can ever have a veto over American security, even if the United States and Russia cannot reach agreement; even if we cannot secure the support of our allies at first; even if we conclude that the Chinese will respond to NMD by increasing their arsenal of nuclear weapons substantially with a corollary inevitable impact in India and then in Pakistan."

The next US president may nevertheless decide that American interests in security in the 21st century dictate that the United States go forward with NMD deployment, he said, "but we can never afford to overlook the fact that the actions and reactions of others in this increasingly interdependent world do bear on our security. Clearly, therefore, it would be far better to move forward in the context of the ABM (Anti-ballistic Missile) Treaty and allied support. Our efforts to make that possible have not been completed," noted Clinton.

Clinton said he is convinced that America and the world will be better off "if we explore the frontiers of strategic defenses while continuing to pursue arms control -- to stand with our allies and to work with Russia and others to stop the spread of deadly weapons. I strongly believe this is the best course for the United States and, therefore, the decision I have reached today is in the best security interest of the United States."

He concluded that NMD, if deployed, "should be a part of a larger strategy to preserve and enhance the peace, strength and security we now enjoy, and to build an even safer world." (By Nelson Chung)