DATE=3/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S CHINA - S & L (OVERNIGHT)
NUMBER=2-260277
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Defense Secretary William Cohen says China does
not appear to be getting ready to attack Taiwan, even
though officials in Beijing have been making blunt
threats to take military action against the island.
Mr. Cohen is urging both sides to avoid provocative
military or political actions as Taiwan's voters head
to the polls Saturday. V-O-A's Jim Randle reports
from Seoul,South Korea where Mr. Cohen is holding
talks with the President and Minister of National
Defense.
Text: Defense Secretary William Cohen says Beijing's
bellicose statements are not matched by collecting
ships or massing troops -- the kind of military
activities that would be needed for an invasion of
Taiwan.
/// Cohen act ///
We do not see any evidence of preparations for an
attack, any kind of imminent attack.
/// end act ///
China has long threatened to attack Taiwan if the
island declared independence, and lately said it would
call in the military if Taiwan delayed efforts to
reunite with the mainland.
During Taiwan's last election campaign four years ago
China fired ballistic missiles into the ocean near
Taiwan. A top Pentagon official says China now has
hundreds of the missiles that could reach targets on
Taiwan. But Mr. Cohen says, this time Beijing is
firing only angry words.
/// rest opt for long ///
/// Cohen act ///
In the past, the Chinese Government has tried to
affect the outcome of the election in Taiwan in a show
of force. On this occasion, they appear to be trying
to affect the outcome of the election by a show of
words. So in that sense, there has been some
improvement.
/// end act ///
Mr. Cohen, a veteran politician (from the northeastern
state of Maine) who won election to the U-S Senate and
many other offices before becoming defense secretary,
says Beijing's crude attempts to intimidate voters
probably won't work. He says voters will choose new
leaders based on the perceived qualities of the
candidates not threats from the mainland.
And Mr. Cohen says the louder those threats get, the
more likely the U-S Congress is to approve Taiwan's
request to buy some of America's most advanced
weapons.
/// opt ///
China and Taiwan have been at odds ever since
Communist forces won the Chinese civil war and the
defeated Nationalist forces retreated to Taiwan, half
a century ago. China's government considers the
island to be a rebellious province that must be
brought back under Beijing's control. China has
threatened to attack if the island formally declares
independence.
/// end opt ///
Mr. Cohen spoke at a press conference in Tokyo before
flying to Seoul for talks with South Korean leaders.
About the time Mr. Cohen arrived Friday, around one
hundred people gathered on a Seoul street to protest
the strong military relationship between Korea and the
United States. They complained about crimes by U-S
troops and other issues. (Signed)
NEB/JR/PLM
17-Mar-2000 06:49 AM EDT (17-Mar-2000 1149 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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