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Tracking Number:  391720

Title:  Discussion of a congressional attempt to change the current regulations on arms sale to Taiwan.

DoS Report. (950516)

Date:  19950516

Text:
*EPF202

05/16/95

STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT, TUESDAY, MAY 16

(Taiwan, Middle East, Bosnia, Chechnya, Cuny, Japan sanctions, Iran) (2210)

The following question was taken on May 15 and the answer released May 16 by the U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman:

(begin text)

STATE AUTHORIZATION BILL -- TAIWAN ARMS SALES

Q. Do you have any reaction to the proposed amendment to the Taiwan Relations Act in the State Department authorization bill which states that the Act "supersedes" the 1982 Joint Communique with the PRC on arms sales to Taiwan?

A. We have previously expressed our opposition to amending the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), and the Department is opposed to this proposed amendment.

There is no question that the TRA takes precedence over the statements of policy expressed in joint communiques with the PRC.

The TRA has stood the test of time and is a fundamental element of our unofficial relationship with Taiwan. This relationship has been very successful, and the TRA has served our national interest since 1979, under administrations of both political parties. We do not wish to see destabilization of the peaceful situation in the Taiwan Strait, which our policy of adherence to the TRA and the three communiques with the PRC has helped to preserve.

There is no conflict between the TRA and the 1982 communique; they are complementary and support the same basic objective -- peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

The U.S. is fully meeting and will continue to meet the provisions of the TRA to provide for Taiwan's self-defense needs.

At the same time, we have avoided an all-out arms race in the Taiwan Strait that would only threaten Taiwan's security and damage U.S. interests.

The U.S. remains fully committed to implementing the TRA and the three joint communiques as the framework of our China policy.

(end text)

NNNN

File Identification:  05/16/95, EPF202
Product Name:  Wireless File
Product Code:  WF
Keywords:  TAIWAN-US RELATIONS; ARMS TRANSFERS; TREATIES & AGREEMENTS; CHINA-US RELATIONS
Document Type:  TRA
Thematic Codes:  1EA
Target Areas:  EA
PDQ Text Link:  391720