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State Department Noon Briefing

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2001 - 1:05 P.M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

Q: New subject? China, Taiwan. The piece in The Post this morning.
Were you surprised, gratified, by the remarks of the Chinese Foreign
Minister?

BOUCHER: We have very consistently encouraged both sides to
reestablish the dialogue across the Straits. I think that is the key
to resolving the differences between China and Taiwan. It is not our
place to endorse or identify the specific mechanism for doing so, but
we certainly encourage both sides to be creative and flexible in their
approaches to the resumption of dialogue. We believe that President
Jiang's and Vice Premier Qian's recent comments are constructive and
that they encourage - and we would encourage the two sides to make
every effort to bridge their differences.

Resumption of the dialogue in whatever form possible remains the key
and necessary step to foster and sustain lasting peace, stability,
prosperity in the Strait. So the answer to your question is, yes, we
believe those comments and the comments of President Jiang are
constructive.

Q: So do you think that the concept that is being floated as some sort
of commonwealth or cooperation would fit in with your words of being
creative and flexible in dialogue?

BOUCHER: Well, my answer also has to fit in my words of it not being
our place to endorse or identify any specific mechanism for doing
this. So we encourage them to be creative and flexible.

Q: Thank you.

BOUCHER: Thank you.

(The briefing was concluded at 1:50 P.M.)