Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=04/24/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S/TAIWAN ARMS OVERNIGHTER (L)

NUMBER=2-275302

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: China is protesting the U-S decision (today-- Tuesday) to offer Taiwan advanced destroyers, submarines and aircraft in what would be one of the most ambitious military sales to Taipei in years. The Bush administration says the package will allow Taiwan to meet its defense needs but admits the decision was driven in part by China's missile buildup near the Taiwan Straits. Correspondent Nick Simeone reports on a move that could further strain Sino/U-S relations.

TEXT: China was quick to issue a blunt warning over this package of arms sales, saying the long-awaited White House decision could lead to what it calls suicidal results for Taiwan, the island it considers a renegade province - and further damage in relations with Washington. Those ties are already strained over the downing of a U-S spy plane in China earlier this month.

Still, the Bush Administration has decided to make a range of advanced weapons available to Taiwan that would boost the island's Naval defenses - while putting on hold what had been at the top of Taiwan's wish list: destroyers equipped with advanced Aegis radar.

By law, the United States is bound to Taiwan's defense and U-S officials suggest the advanced radar system could be offered if China escalates threats to the island. Beijing has already positioned several hundred missiles at the disputed island from across the Taiwan Straits.

This offer of military hardware has clearly angered Beijing, which is warning the move will only increase the risk of military conflict in the region. Still, President Bush told C-B-S he does not believe the sale will damage Sino/U-S relations even though these weapons sales would be the largest by the United States to Taiwan since his father's administration sold the island fighter jets a decade ago.

/// BUSH ACT ///

I think it's in both nations advantage to work together in areas where we can find agreement. I'm not going to allow harsh rhetoric to create an environment where we can't find areas of agreement.

/// END ACT ///

The offer to further arm Taiwan comes at an already sensitive time in Sino/U-S relations. Washington and Beijing are still locked in a diplomatic dispute over the return of a U-S spy plane forced to land in China after colliding with a Chinese fighter jet earlier this month. After holding the crew for 11 days, there's been no indication Beijing is ready to return the Naval surveillance plane as the United States is demanding. (SIGNED)

NEB/NJS/PT