Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3-13-01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-273642

TITLE=CHINA AEGIS (L)

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: China is warning Washington that proposed arms deals with Taiwan are a serious danger to bilateral relations. Correspondent Jim Randle reports from Beijing that China's comments follow a new report showing strong support for arms sales by a key member of the U-S Senate.

TEXT: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao says Washington long ago promised to slow the sales of weapons to Taiwan. But he says years have passed and the United States is instead considering selling some of the most advanced weapons in the world to the island. He spoke through a translator.

/// ZHU BANGZAO ///

The U-S side made an explicit commitment that it would gradually reduce the sales weapons, leading to the end (of sales) of weapons to Taiwan. And more than two-decades have elapsed, and on the question of Taiwan, the other side, instead of stopping sales to Taiwan, the quantity and quality of weapons to Taiwan have been constantly raised.

/// END ACT ///

Those weapons are said to include an advanced version of the Patriot anti-missile system and Aegis class warships. Military experts say with major upgrades, these systems could serve as the core of a missile defense system to protect Taiwan from China's most potent weapons.

China has deployed hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles that can reach airfields, power plants, and other key facilities on Taiwan.

A new report by the staff of the U-S Senate Foreign Relations Committee says if the United States fails to sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, it will guarantee - destruction of the island's democratic government.

A news account says the report was written by an aide to Committee Chairman Jesse Helms, a conservative Republican who often speaks out strongly against communism. The report was presumably seen and approved by Senator Helms, but it is not endorsed by all the committee members.

The United States is expected to consider Taiwan's request and decide how many, and what kind, of weapons it will sell sometime in April. Under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the United States committed itself to selling Taiwan enough weapons to defend itself.

/// REST OPT ///

Taiwan has requested Aegis weapons before, but was turned down by the Clinton administration. The Bush administration criticized many of President Clinton's military decisions, and is seen as more sympathetic to Taiwan's request.

The new report says besides four Aegis missile destroyers, Taiwan wants four used warships, advanced helicopters, some big planes packed with sensors and weapons for hunting submarines, as well as better communications systems.

China considers Taiwan a rebellious province that should be brought back under central government control. Chinese spokesman Zhu Bangzao says Beijing hopes to reunify Taiwan with the mainland in a peaceful manner, but will not rule out using military force if Taiwan formally declares independence or delays a political reunion.

Taiwan is where defeated nationalist troops retreated at the end of their bitter civil war with the Communists in 1949. (SIGNED).

NEB/JR/RAE