Tracking Number: 241799
Title: Discussion of the sale of F-16 fighters to Taiwan and of China's adherence to the Missile Technology Control Regime. DoS News Briefing. (920904)
Date: 19920904
Text:
*EPF504
09/04/92 *
STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT, SEPTEMBER 4 (F-16's to Taiwan, China/MTCR) (390)
Overnight Posting Texts:
TAIWAN
(begin text)
TAIWAN: SALE OF F-16s
Q: What was the level of U.S. arms sales before the 1982 Communique, and what has been the level since then?
A: For those figures, I would refer you to the annual Congressional presentation documents.
To give you a sense of the trend of arms sales to Taiwan, I would note that the CPD figure for 1982 was in excess of $800 million and the 1991 figure is under $650 million.
Q: Where in the 1982 Communique is there justification for sales of arms to Taiwan to maintain its defense capability?
A: It was made clear to the Chinese in the course of negotiating the Communique that the U.S. would fulfill the requirements of the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with defense articles and services to meet its defense needs.
The Communique clearly envisioned that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan would continue.
When the Communique was issued, President Reagan stressed that it was fully compatible with the Taiwan Relations Act and our arms sales to Taiwan under that act.
Q: Was there a legal determination made that the F-16 sales is in keeping with U.S. commitments under the Commuunique?
A: The Communique is a statement of U.S. policy on the subject of arms sales to Taiwan, not a law.
For that reason, a legal determination was not required.
(end text)
CHINA
(begin text)
CHINA: COMPLIANCE WITH MTCR GUIDELINES
Q: What has China done with respect to adhering to the MTCR guidelines? What is China's record?
A: In November 1991, the Chinese told former Secretary Baker during his trip to Beijing that they intended to observe the MTCR guidelines and parameters if the United States lifted its June 1991 missile sanctions against China. The PRC publicly reaffirmed this commitment on February 22, 1992.
The Chinese obligations became effective March 23, 1992 when the last of the U.S. sanctionns were lifted.
Since its November 1991 commitment to former Secretary Baker, China has not transferred M-9, M-11, or other MTCR-class missiles, nor have we determined that the PRC has engaged in any other activity inconsistment with MTCR commitments.
(end text)
NNNN
File Identification: 09/04/92, EPF504
Product Name: Wireless File
Product Code: WF
Keywords: TAIWAN-US RELATIONS/Policy; TAIWAN/Defense & Military; MILITARY
AIRCRAFT; ARMS TRANSFERS; MILITARY TECHNOLOGY; CHINA-US RELATIONS/Policy; CHINA, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF/Defense & Military; MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME (MTCR)
Document Type: TRA; EXC
Thematic Codes: 1EA; 1DE; 1AC
Target Areas: EA
PDQ Text Link: 241799
USIA Notes: *92090404.EPF
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