China has resisted the pact because missile exports are a key money-maker for the military.

"He has some understanding that missile exports, although they obviously bring in hard currency, also produce problems for him."

President Bill Clinton had sought to negotiate an end to North Korea's missile exports and production.

But some officials from the Clinton administration assert that the Bush administration has missed an opportunity to negotiate a halt to the missile exports.

It should also press North Korea to end rogue missile exports.

He sought to avert criticism by imposing limits on missile exports.

"But if the Russians aren't keeping to their side of the bargain on missile exports, why should we keep ours?"

"North Korea's conventional forces are very destabilizing and potentially as dangerous as its missile exports."

It is far from clear that the administration is willing to compensate North Korea for giving up missile exports.

We need to look at the issue of missile sales and testing, and the linked inevitable missile exports.