ACCESSION NUMBER:00000
FILE ID:96020502.POL
DATE:02/05/96
TITLE:05-02-96 WHITE HOUSE REPORT, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5
TEXT:
(China/Taiwan/Pakistan) (310)
NEWS BRIEFING -- Press Secretary Mike McCurry discussed the following
topic:
REPORTED CHINESE MILITARY MANEUVERS, SHIPMENTS
Questioned about "forthcoming" Chinese military maneuvers in the
Strait of Taiwan, McCurry pointed out that Beijing has "not announced
any military exercises" there, but he noted that Washington is
monitoring events in the region.
The question was based on a Washington Post report quoting
intelligence sources as saying Beijing plans a large exercise prior to
Taipei's presidential election March 23. The Post asserted "hard
intelligence data" indicate the exercises will be at least as large as
the September maneuvers which brought 40 ships and 100 aircraft to the
area for simulated amphibious landing trials.
"We monitor all the time activities in the strait and information
related to military training exercises that the People's Republic may
or may not undertake," McCurry pointed out. "They have not announced
any military exercises in the Strait. We will continue to monitor the
situation because we are concerned about statements both out of
Beijing and Taipei, and we will encourage governments and parties in
that region to do everything necessary to make sure tensions do not
escalate."
Asked about a news report asserting the Chinese may be shipping
nuclear-related equipment to Pakistan, McCurry noted that U.S.
nonproliferation law calls for automatic sanctions if that allegation
is true.
"Under our nonproliferation law," he explained, "we have to monitor
very carefully transfer of technologies related to either nuclear
weapons programs, nuclear development, or missile technology."
He said Washington has made no determination that China has shipped
any covered equipment, adding, "If we made such a determination under
our law the imposition of sanctions is automatic." Noting that
sanctions were imposed "on at least one prior occasion," McCurry said,
"We will act consistent with U.S. nonproliferation law."
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