DATE=2/29/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - CHINA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259678
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: President Clinton says he believes Beijing's
threats against Taiwan will not undermine efforts to
grant China permanent normal trade status. The
President attributes, what he calls Beijing's -
inflammatory language - to the heated political
atmosphere before Taiwan's presidential elections.
Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from the White
House.
Text: Mr. Clinton reacted cautiously to warnings from
some U-S Senators that China's threats against Taiwan
could doom a trade deal with Beijing.
// CLINTON ACT //
I do not sense that this vote is slipping away.
// END ACT //
Congress must grant China permanent normal trade
relations as a condition for Beijing's entry into the
World Trade Organization. Some lawmakers, notably
those in Mr. Clinton's Democratic party, are reluctant
to back freer trade, believing it would lead to an
erosion of labor and environmental standards.
Some Senators last week expressed concern that the
lukewarm support for the trade deal may evaporate
altogether over what they call China's `reckless
threat' to attack Taiwan.
Beijing last week issued a policy `white paper' in
which it reiterated its threat to use force against
Taipei if the island declared independence or was
invaded by a foreign power. But in an apparent
escalation, China also warned Taiwan of attack if it
indefinitely delayed reunification talks.
As he prepared to depart on a fundraising trip to
Florida, Mr. Clinton said the white paper contains
some - inflammatory language - as he put it. But in
an effort to highlight the positive, he said the
document also includes suggestions about how a
dialogue might be opened.
The President suggested the sharp rhetoric might be an
attempt by Beijing to influence the outcome of the
upcoming presidential elections in Taiwan.
// CLINTON ACT //
I understand this is the political season there,
they are having a Presidential election in
Taiwan, but I have noticed not only this
election in America, but in previous ones,
sometimes things are said in political seasons
that might not be said at other times.
// END ACT //
Mr. Clinton reiterated the 20-year-old U-S - One-China
Policy - that calls for dialogue to resolve the Taiwan
issue. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/RAE
29-Feb-2000 13:22 PM EDT (29-Feb-2000 1822 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
