DATE=2/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S-CHINA (L)
NUMBER=2-259456
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S diplomats are complaining to their Chinese
counterparts in both Washington and Beijing over a new
Chinese policy statement threatening to use force
against Taiwan if reunification talks with the island
drag on. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the White
House.
TEXT: The Chinese threat to use "drastic" measures -
including military force - if Taiwan tries to delay
unification talks indefinitely came as an unwelcome
surprise to the Clinton administration, which has been
urging caution by both sides in the run-up to Taiwan's
March 18th presidential election.
White House spokesman Joe Lockhart renewed an appeal
for engagement and restraint, and reiterated the U-S
obligation to aid in Taiwan's defense, dating from the
normalization of ties with Beijing in 1979:
/// LOCKHART ACTUALITY ///
If they were to take action which would try to
resolve the issue between China and Taiwan
through force, we'd view that with grave
concern. That's the position articulated in the
Taiwan Relations Act and that continues.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Lockhart would not be specific about U-S actions
if China carried out its new threat. But he noted
President Clinton's dispatch of two navy aircraft
carriers to the waters around Taiwan four years ago,
after China staged missile tests near Taiwanese ports
before the island's last presidential vote.
The Chinese warning - in an official "white paper"
from State Council in Beijing - drew bipartisan
criticism in the U-S Congress, where the
administration has been seeking approval for permanent
normal trade status for China.
The Republican chairman of the House International
Relations committee - Benjamin Gilman - said he is
deeply concerned by what he said is an attempt to
"intimidate" Taiwan, and said the administration's
policy of accommodation with China is proving
ineffective.
At a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee hearing,
Democrat John Kerry termed the Chinese white paper
unacceptable, even if it is only a tactical move to
influence the Taiwanese election:
/// KERRY ACTUALITY ///
Many of us are surprised by the bluntness and
inappropriateness of this particular challenge.
If it is merely an effort to try to affect the
elections in Taiwan in a month, it is not a very
shrewd way to do that. And it carries with it
far more profound dangers for the longer-term
interests of the United States and China and
indeed the globe, which expects more from our
relationship than this kind of saber-rattling.
/// END ACT ///
Appearing at the same Senate hearing, U-S Assistant
Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Stanley Roth said U-S complaints were being lodged in
both Beijing and the Chinese embassy in Washington
over the statement.
Mr. Roth said the document is contrary to the
communiques that are the "bedrock" of U-S Chinese
relations - and stands in sharp contrast to the
moderation being shown by the major contenders in the
Taiwanese presidential race.
/// ROTH ACTUALITY ///
We are at a moment where all three candidates in
Taiwan, I think, have been trying to emphasize
pragmatic, flexible positions that could get the
two parties back to the negotiating table. And
we believe that is the aspect that should be
encouraged, and that Chinese policy should
encourage this rather than discourage this with
the type of statements we saw in the white paper
yesterday.
/// END ACT ///
/// REST OPT ///
Congressional Republicans say the Chinese statement
underscores the need for final action on the bill
approved earlier this month by the House of
Representatives that would strengthen U-S military
relations with Taiwan.
Clinton spokesman (Joe) Lockhart, however, says the
President already has the authority he needs to help
Taiwan, and the proposed Taiwan Security Enhancement
Act would be destabilizing.
He also said the latest dispute need not de-rail
efforts to win congressional approval for the China
trade bill, given that its terms are so one-sided in
favor of the United States. (Signed)
NEB/DAG/ENE/gm/eap
22-Feb-2000 16:54 PM EDT (22-Feb-2000 2154 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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