NPR's John Nielsen reports that Secretary of State Warren Christopher today said a U-S carrier group will move closer to Taiwan in the coming days. The announcement comes as China stages missile tests -- as well as live ammunition tests -- off Taiwan's coast. Appearing on N-B-C's "Meet the Press," Christopher said the carrier battle group will be in what he calls a "position to be helpful if they need to be." The missile tests are aimed at discouraging Taiwan's pro-democracy movement in advance of presidential elections on March 23rd. Christopher says China's actions "smack of intimidation and coercion." He also says they're "reckless" and "risky."

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