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U.S. Department of State

Daily Press Briefing

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QUESTION: On China, can you tell us what you know about the number of sorties by both China and Taiwan in the Straits over the last few weeks?

MR. RUBIN: Well, it would be impossible to give you precise figures on sorties. A lot of this information comes to us second and third hand; some from Taiwan, some from other places. I couldn't give you precise information.

It's certainly something we're monitoring very closely and we're aware that there have been a fairly large number of sorties flown by both China and Taiwan military aircraft in the Taiwan Strait. Any time you have military aircraft flying this close to each other in these numbers, there is concern about accidents. We do have such concern and we don't think either side should be taking steps that will increase tensions across the Taiwan Straits.

QUESTION: When you say there's a fairly large number, are you - I mean, would you say that there has been an increase, say, in the last two months? I mean, do you perceive that as an increase over --

MR. RUBIN: Look, we've seen sortie rates much, much higher than this in the past. So I think one should be cautious about not getting alarmed by the situation. Clearly, there are flights taking place over the Taiwan Straits, and we're concerned about accidents. This pattern has increased in recent weeks from low points.

But again, if one wants to not overstate the facts, there have been times when they've been much higher.

QUESTION: But in this current climate, though, you would still say that there has not been military significant activity?

MR. RUBIN: We have not seen extraordinary developments that constitute preparations for military action or anything like that. We continue to urge both sides to exercise restraint. That is our view.

With respect to how to characterize this, all I can really say is that yesterday we indicated that there haven't been extraordinary developments in the Strait that constitute preparations for military action. That remains the situation. That doesn't mean that nothing is going on; so certainly this is significant. How significant? Again, what we've said to you is the test of this situation is whether, after all is said and done, the two sides can find a way to resume the dialogue. Right now, what we're concerned about with respect to these aircraft is accidents.

QUESTION: Given the fact, though, that there have been these sorties and there was the seizure of the ship and a number of other incidents that we've discussed, I mean, do you see the two sides trying to get back to dialogue, or do you see this kind of activity would seem to pull them farther apart?

MR. RUBIN: We have not seen signs that the dialogue is imminent. On the contrary, the recent weeks we've seen signs that the dialogue is going to be that much more difficult to take place. That's a matter of concern to us, and we've urged both parties to not take steps or actions such as the military's fear that would make that dialogue harder. That is our view.

I think it's fair to point out that our information is that both Taiwan and China, the PRC, have been flying over the Taiwan Straits.

QUESTION: Do you see a direct parallel between the increase in the number of sorties and Lee Teng-hui's statement last month and the follow-up comments made by the senior Taiwanese officials? And last week, Secretary Albright said that the indications that we had gotten from the Taiwanese Government didn't quite do it. Have we heard anything more encouraging since then?

MR. RUBIN: On the first question, clearly this air activity has increased since the dispute has gone public in the way that it has gone public. So that is based on our assessment of the situation.

Again, I think it's important for one not to become overly alarmist about this. There have been times in the last couple of years when the sortie rates were much higher over the Taiwan Straits.

With respect to the second question, it is not up to us to determine what would do it. I think the Secretary was stating the facts. The fact is, until the two sides have found a way to resume the dialogue and have an effective dialogue, there is a problem in that we believe that dialogue is the only way to resolve this issue. So we're not aware of any new positive development that makes the dialogue more likely today than it was a couple of days ago.

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QUESTION: If we could go back to China - tomorrow the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is going to be taking up a bill on Taiwan security enhancement. Where does the Administration fall on that?

MR. RUBIN: I don't think we see any reason to update in any way or change in any way the Taiwan Relations Act, which has served this nation extremely well both with respect to our support for Taiwan and with respect to promoting better relations with China, which has brought great benefit to the United States. So we would not see the value in changing the Taiwan Relations Act that is being considered.

QUESTION: When the Act was announced about 20 years ago, there was an understanding that military assistance to Taiwan would continue at about the same monetary level at that time. Then the further understanding was that inflation would erode the total amount. Is there still such a cap on US military assistance to Taiwan?

MR. RUBIN: I don't know if I would agree with your characterization of how one would define what would be an acceptable level of military assistance. I think that's a matter that's been in dispute for some time. I would prefer to get the precise language that we used at the time and get that for the record for you.

But I think we believe we've been acting consistent with that act in providing assistance and arms sales to Taiwan. I think there's some not always a full agreement between us and China on the subject of whether any transfers are permitted and which transfers in particular. So I prefer to get that for the record.

QUESTION: When you get that answer, could you just answer the simple question if there is any cap on US military assistance to Taiwan?

MR. RUBIN: A financial cap or a quantitative cap?

QUESTION: Yes - quantitative.

MR. RUBIN: Quantitative?

QUESTION: Yes.

MR. RUBIN: Okay, we'll check that for you.

QUESTION: To further on this Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, do you think that the idea of Congress pushing that at this time is helpful or problematic to your policy, particularly in this period of tensions?

MR. RUBIN: Well, we've found that -- we don't support changes in the Taiwan Relations Act, which has served this nation and our security very well. So efforts to change that act we don't think are helpful.

QUESTION: (Inaudible.)

MR. RUBIN: At any time, right. Thank you, that's the three words I was seeking.

QUESTION: Do you ask them not to go forward with it now?

MR. RUBIN: I think we generally have made clear to the senators who may be pursuing such an effort that we think that the current law is the right one for the nation, for our country, for our security; and that efforts to adjust that law in the way that they are pursuing are not, therefore, helpful. We don't think that, given the sensitivity of Taiwan both to Taiwan and to China, that there's ever a good time to make adjustments in a policy that has served our nation well.

QUESTION: Is it a question of "it's not broken so don't fix it?"

MR. RUBIN: It's an interesting way you put it.

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