Protesters set up a mock missile outside Vandenberg AFB 抗议者在美国范登堡空军基地外建了一枚导弹模型

　　A technical problem discovered in a target missile has caused a delay of at least two hours in the test of a controversial US missile defence system.
　　The test - the third so far - is being watched closely worldwide, as it could set the stage for President Bill Clinton to approve a full scale system to protect the US from ballistic missiles.
　　There has been sharp criticism of US plans from Beijing, where US arms controls negotiators are currently holding talks with their Chinese counterparts.
　　The outcome of this latest test - which follows one successful and one failed test - will be crucial in determining President Clinton's final decision on whether to go ahead with the $60bn system.

美导弹试验因小故障推迟

　　因一枚“诱饵”导弹发现技术故障，有争议的美国导弹防御系统的拦截试验将至少推迟两小时进行。

　　这次试验－到目前为止的第三次试验－备受全世界关注，因为它可以为克林顿总统批准全面部署保护美国免受弹道导弹袭击的导弹防御系统提供条件。

　　北京对美国的这一计划提出了强烈谴责。目前，美国武器控制谈判代表正在北京与中国代表谈判。

　　这次试验的结果－此前的两次试验一次成功一次失败－对克林顿总统最终决定是否部署这一耗资600亿美元的系统起关键作用。