DATE=7/8/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-US-ARMS (L)
NUMBER=2-264194
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States and China have ended two
days of talks on arms control and non-proliferation
issues, thus resuming a dialogue that was suspended
after NATO bombed China's embassy in Yugoslavia last
year. VOA correspondent Roger Wilkison reports top US
negotiator John Holum told reporters in Beijing the
two sides made progress but did not resolve their
differences on several key issues.
TEXT: Each side had their concerns going into the
talks. China is adamantly opposed to US plans for a
national missile defense it fears will upset the
global strategic balance and neutralize its own
limited arsenal of intercontinental ballistic
missiles. And it is especially angry about an Asia-
based theater missile defense Washington says it needs
to protect its troops and allies in the region.
Beijing is convinced this so-called TMD will be used
to shelter Taiwan and thwart China's efforts toward
reunification with the island.
Mr. Holum, who spoke with reporters shortly after the
failure of a test of the proposed national missile
defense system, acknowledged China's concerns. He
says he sought to reassure the Chinese that such a
system would not be aimed at China but did not say
what the Chinese response was. And, in an indication
that the two sides are still far apart on the much
more touchy TMD issue, he says no decision has yet
been made on whether to incoporate Taiwan into the
system.
/////HOLUM ACTUALITY/////
We don't rule out the possibility that sometime in the
future, Taiwan may have TMD capability. We may assist
Taiwan. But we haven't made that decision. The only
decision we've made is, when the technology becomes
available, we will use it in defense of our forces.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Mr. Holum also says the United States will continue to
deliver defensive weapons to Taiwan as long as China
continues deploying offensive weapons aimed at the
island Beijing regards as a wayward province that must
be brought back into its fold. China decries such
deliveries as a violation of Sino-US agreements and as
interference in its own internal affairs.
The US official, who met for two days with a Chinese
delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya,
says he believes China has upheld its commitment not
to supply certain types of missiles to Pakistan and
other countries. But he says Washington worries that
Beijing may still be providing Islamabad with missile-
related technology, such as weapons-grade steel and
guidance systems.
/////HOLUM ACTUALITY/////
They have committed in fairly broad terms.to specific
curtailment of all-out missile transactions. What's
unclear, and a matter of some dispute between us and
them, is the extent to which that reaches technology.
And it's technology that is the area of concern.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
Mr. Holum says legislation pending in the US Congress
that would impose sanctions against China if it is
found to be helping other countries acquire nuclear or
missile capabilities is unnecessary. He says that,
despite differences over major non-proliferation
issues, China has become an active and constructive
participant in several arms control schemes.
/////HOLUM ACTUALITY/////
We have a common interest in preventing proliferation.
Neither country sees it as being in their interest.
And we're trying to approach it from that standpoint:
to make this a cooperative, constructive effort in
which we share information and try to resolve
problems.
/////END ACTUALITY/////
The US arms negotiator says his talks in Beijing were
a good start but that there is a long way to go before
the major issues dividing the two sides are resolved.
(signed)
NEB/RW/PLM
08-Jul-2000 07:23 AM EDT (08-Jul-2000 1123 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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