Tracking Number: 425445
Title: "House Republicans Call for Clarity in US-Taiwan Policy."
The US needs to clearly state how it would react to Chinese aggression against Taiwan rather than continuing with its policy of "strategic ambiguity." (960305)
Author: HU, PEGGY (USIA STAFF WRITER)
Date: 19960305
Text:
*EPF203
03/05/96
HOUSE REPUBLICANS CALL FOR CLARITY IN U.S.-TAIWAN POLICY
(Article on 3/5 Republican Policy Committee briefing) (430)
By Peggy Hu
USIA Staff Writer
Washington -- The United States needs to clearly state how it would react to Chinese aggression against Taiwan rather than continuing with its policy of "strategic ambiguity," House Republicans said at a March 5 press conference sponsored by the House Republican Policy Committee.
"The United States needs to send clear messages on how we will react to provocations in the Taiwan Straits," said Rep. Doug Bereuter (Republican of Nebraska), chairman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. "We need to make a clear and unambiguous expression of our friendship with Taiwan, and our support for the peaceful resolution of the Taiwan issue."
In a March 5 policy statement, the House Republican Policy Committee warned that the Clinton administration's policy "virtually invites conflict."
"American policy both before and since (the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979) has been based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined exclusively by peaceful means, and by mutual agreement between the parties. There should be no ambiguity whatever -- deliberate or otherwise -- about that expectation, or about the consequences should it be contravened," committee members said.
Rep. Christopher Cox (Republican of California), chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, emphasized that "in times of peace, certainty, clarity and unambiguity are important to make sure that no one misjudges what it will take, so that no one inadvertently starts a conflict."
Cox stressed that the committee is not advocating a change in U.S. policy toward Taiwan and said that he will be drafting a resolution to reiterate the points in the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which "rests on the premise that the United States will assist Taiwan should it face any effort to determine its future by other than peaceful means, including by blockade."
"This is a continuation of the U.S. policy of almost every Administration since Richard Nixon," he said.
Bereuter, who has been a member of the committee for 17 years, also emphasized that the March 5 policy statement "is not designed to be anti-PRC," nor does it offer unequivocal support for Taiwanese policies or actions.
"This statement does not endorse efforts of some Taiwanese politicians to enhance their position in the United Nations and other international bodies which require statehood," he said. Such unilateral actions, he said, "are inconsistent with the policies of five successive U.S. administrations from both political parties."
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File Identification: 03/05/96, EPF203; 03/05/96, AEF208
Product Name: Wireless File
Product Code: WF
Keywords: REPUBLICAN PARTY; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, US;
CHINA-US RELATIONS; CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS; TAIWAN-US RELATIONS
Thematic Codes: 1EA
Target Areas: AF; EA
PDQ Text Link: 425445
USIA Notes: *96030503.EPF
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