Tracking Number: 421487
Title: The White House reports that China has "not announced any military maneuvers" in the Strait of Taiwan and that there has been no determination made on whether China shipped nuclear-related equipment to Pakistan. WH Report. (960205)
Date: 19960205
Text:
WHITE HOUSE REPORT, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5
(China/Taiwan/Pakistan) (310)
NEWS BRIEFING -- Press Secretary Mike McCurry discussed the following topic:
REPORTED CHINESE MILITARY MANEUVERS, SHIPMENTS
Questioned about "forthcoming" Chinese military maneuvers in the Strait of Taiwan, McCurry pointed out that Beijing has "not announced any military exercises" there, but he noted that Washington is monitoring events in the region.
The question was based on a Washington Post report quoting intelligence sources as saying Beijing plans a large exercise prior to Taipei's presidential election March 23. The Post asserted "hard intelligence data" indicate the exercises will be at least as large as the September maneuvers which brought 40 ships and 100 aircraft to the area for simulated amphibious landing trials.
"We monitor all the time activities in the strait and information related to military training exercises that the People's Republic may or may not undertake," McCurry pointed out. "They have not announced any military exercises in the Strait. We will continue to monitor the situation because we are concerned about statements both out of Beijing and Taipei, and we will encourage governments and parties in that region to do everything necessary to make sure tensions do not escalate."
Asked about a news report asserting the Chinese may be shipping nuclear-related equipment to Pakistan, McCurry noted that U.S. nonproliferation law calls for automatic sanctions if that allegation is true.
"Under our nonproliferation law," he explained, "we have to monitor very carefully transfer of technologies related to either nuclear weapons programs, nuclear development, or missile technology."
He said Washington has made no determination that China has shipped any covered equipment, adding, "If we made such a determination under our law the imposition of sanctions is automatic." Noting that sanctions were imposed "on at least one prior occasion," McCurry said, "We will act consistent with U.S. nonproliferation law."
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File Identification: 02/05/96, POL102; 02/05/96, AEF107; 02/05/96, EUR101; 02/05/96, LEF103; 02/05/96, NEA102; 02/07/96, ERF304
Product Name: Wireless File
Product Code: WF
Languages: Russian
Keywords: CHINA-US RELATIONS; CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS; MILITARY CAPABILITIES; CHINA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS; NUCLEAR WEAPONS; ARMS TRANSFERS; SANCTIONS
Thematic Codes: 1EA
Target Areas: AF; EU; NE; AR
PDQ Text Link: 421487
USIA Notes: *96020502.POL
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