DATE=7/28/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=U-S / CHINA'S MILITARY
NUMBER=5-46752
BYLINE=ED WARNER
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S military leaders have been maintaining
close contacts with their Chinese counterparts with
the idea of improving relations and keeping track of
what China is up to. But participants in a recent
gathering at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative
Washington research institute, questioned the
usefulness of such cooperation. They suggested China
is benefiting more from it than the United States and
proposed stricter guidelines for future relations.
V-O-A's Ed Warner reports on the discussion.
TEXT: Larry Wortzel likes to describe the
relationship between U-S and Chinese military leaders
in terms of a one-sided romance. An ardent suitor, he
notes, is at a disadvantage. The object of his
affection sets the agenda. How much affection he
receives depends on his behavior.
And Mr. Wortzel told a gathering at the Heritage
Foundation that to a large extent, the U-S military
has become the suitor of China. As a former U-S naval
intelligence officer stationed in Beijing, he believes
top military officers have been too generous with
information in an effort to win Chinese friendship.
Mr. Wortzel cites an example of what he calls
misplaced romance:
/// WORTZEL ACT ///
A four-star general comes out there and decides
to hand out candy because he is going to turn
the Chinese into great friends. And he gives
them all the simulation in software on how to
run a brigade and division integrated attack. I
said, "General, this really is just not a good
thing. You do not want to do this." But he did.
About nine years later, I visited their army
command college, and there is that software
simulating attacks across the Taiwan Strait.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Wortzel says providing so much information may
mislead Beijing about the U-S determination to defend
Taiwan. The Chinese may be getting the wrong message
and act accordingly.
The U-S Congress is also uneasy about the military
relationship with China, says Al Santoli, foreign
policy adviser to California Congressman Dana
Rohrabacher:
/// SANTOLI ACT ///
What got our concern was the number of exchanges
of Chinese military personnel attending
seminars, observing exercises or visiting
locations where critical tactical functions that
would enhance their military modernization were
taking place, and the access they would have to
American experts that would help facilitate
their modernization.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Santoli expects increased congressional scrutiny
of U-S military dealings with China.
But these relations often serve a useful purpose,
contends Randy Schriver, a former Defense Department
official:
/// SCHRIVER ACT ONE ///
The primary objective is to establish clear
lines of communication between senior leaders. I
believe dialogue is good. Dialogue is helpful.
It reduces the chances of miscommunication and
miscalculation. If it is becoming increasingly
dangerous to operate in proximity to one
another, I think it is important to takes steps
to address that.
/// END ACT //
Mr. Schriver says bringing younger Chinese officers to
the United States is especially useful because they
get a chance to see the real America and are suitably
impressed. But he doubts Americans learn much in
China where so much is off limits.
In contrast to the Chinese, he says Americans like to
show what they have:
/// SCHRIVER ACT TWO //
Here is everything we have got, and here is how
we can hurt you in so many different ways. The
Chinese concept is you have no idea of what we
have got. You have no idea either how bad or how
good we are, and that is their deterrent effect.
They are not going to open up.
/// END ACT ///
Given this difference, Mr. Schriver says Americans
dealing with the Chinese military should be cordial
but watchful, realistic rather than romantic.
Larry Wortzel offers some guidelines for approaching
the Peoples' Liberation Army:
/// WORTZEL ACT ///
Do nothing to improve the P-L-A's capability to
wage war against Taiwan or U-S friends and
allies. Do nothing to improve the P-L-A's
ability to project force and do nothing to
improve the P-L-A's ability to further repress
the Chinese people.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Wortzel says that still leaves a lot of room for
discussion. (signed)
NEB/EW/JP
28-Jul-2000 14:02 PM LOC (28-Jul-2000 1802 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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