DATE=3/20/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA - TAIWAN - HOLBROOKE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260356
BYLINE=STEPHANIE MANN
DATELINE=BEIJING
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S Ambassador to the United Nations Richard
Holbrooke is in Beijing for talks that are likely to
include discussion of the Taiwan presidential
election. V-O-A Correspondent Stephanie Mann reports
from the Chinese capital.
TEXT: Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and Chinese Vice
Foreign Minister Wang Guangya held talks today
(Monday) that were expected to concentrate on United
Nations business.
But in remarks at the start of his meeting with Mr.
Wang, Mr. Holbrooke said he looks forward to
discussing recent events with Chinese leaders. The U-
S diplomat did not specifically mention the Taiwan
election, but he said his visit comes at an
interesting moment in Sino-American relations because
of events that have occurred.
Mr. Holbrooke says his trip was scheduled a long time
ago for the purpose of talking about U-N issues. He
says the United States and China, both permanent
members of the U-N Security Council, share a desire to
strengthen the United Nations.
Ambassador Holbrooke is scheduled to meet with Vice
Premier Qian Qichen and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan
Tuesday, and observers expect the Taiwan election to
be discussed then. Mr. Holbrooke arrived in China
Sunday and had dinner in Shanghai with Major Xu
Kuangdi. They discussed economic development issues
and the Taiwan election.
The Taiwan issue has been a serious irritant in Sino-
U-S relations - with Beijing upset over U-S arms sales
to the island, and Washington concerned about Chinese
threats of using force to reunite Taiwan with the
mainland. When China lobbed missiles off Taiwan at
the time of its last election in 1996, the United
States sent aircraft carrier battle groups to the
area.
China is also angered over U-S plans to introduce a
resolution criticizing China at the annual U-N Human
Rights Commission meeting which opened Monday in
Geneva. Nearly every year for the last decade the
United States has sponsored such a resolution. Each
time, the measure either failed to come to a vote or
was defeated by Human Rights Commission members.
The human rights issue is likely to be discussed in
Ambassador Holbrooke's meetings in Beijing. (Signed)
NEB/SMN/FC
20-Mar-2000 02:34 AM EDT (20-Mar-2000 0734 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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