Tracking Number: 427271
Title: "Campbell 3/14 Remarks to House Panel on China/Taiwan."
According to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Kurt Campbell, maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is key to US political, security and economic interests. (960314)
Date: 19960314
Text:
TEXT: CAMPBELL 3/14 REMARKS TO HOUSE PANEL ON CHINA/TAIWAN
(Key U.S. interests at stake in Taiwan Strait) (1630)
Washington -- Maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is key to U.S. political, security, and economic interests according to Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs in testimony on Capitol Hill March 14. "Any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, would be of grave concern to the United States."
Testifying before the House International Relations Committee Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Campbell emphasized the U.S. position that the PRC military exercises were "reckless and irresponsible". He identified a possible accident or miscalculation during these exercises as the greatest danger for peace in the area. U.S. actions in sending carriers into the strait are "prudent precautionary measures" signaling the administration's concern over the situation.
Campbell identified two roles for the U.S. in peacefully resolving the dispute between the PRC and Taiwan. One role is continued comprehensive engagement with the PRC. Continued engagement "represents our best hope for influencing China to act as a responsible participant in regional affairs -- including with respect to Taiwan." He reiterated that engagement should not be perceived as appeasement or a lack of resolve to protect national interests.
A second U.S. role is to meet obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). Campbell noted that the Pentagon takes these obligations seriously. The U.S. will continue to meet its TRA obligations not only because it is a legal requirement, but because it is "a key part of the strategy that will help to secure long term peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and in the region."
Following is the official text of Campbell's testimony:
(begin official text)
STATEMENT BY KURT M. CAMPBELL
DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
FOR ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS
BEFORE
HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
SUBCOMMITEE ON ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
MARCH 14, 1996
Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you at this critical juncture in U.S.-PRC-Taiwan relations.
Today, I'd like to supplement Ambassador Lord's comments by describing how we at the Department of Defense view the current situation in the Taiwan Strait, and what we believe are the keys to securing peace and stability in the Strait over the longer term.
Maintaining the peace and stability in this area is in the political, security, and economic interest of the United States, and for that matter of the PRC, and is a matter of international concern. Any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, would be of grave concern to the United States. We have made our views on this very clear to the PRC both in Washington and Beijing.
The current situation in the Taiwan Strait is being closely monitored at the Department of Defense. The recent series of PRC military exercises -- to include the firing of ballistic missiles close to Taiwan -- has increased tensions in the cross-Strait relationship. We have been very clear with our PRC interlocutors and in our public statements, and I want to be very clear today -the Department of Defense and this Administration view the PRC exercises as reckless and irresponsible.
PRC activity, though highly provocative, and clearly aimed at intimidation, is expected to remain at the exercise level. We believe the greatest danger to peace in the Taiwan Strait does not come from a PRC attack on Taiwan, or indeed any other direct military action -- this remains remote. The greatest danger comes from the potential for an accident or miscalculation. In short, although the PRC has undertaken a very risky course of action, it is imperative that all sides remember the longer term goal of peaceful resolution of the dispute. It remains important for all sides to take a sober and sensible approach and to manage the situation prudently. All parties should refrain from responding in a manner which could escalate tensions.
Let me now address what we believe are two key roles the United States can play toward achieving that longer term goal of peaceful resolution of the dispute: (1) meeting our Taiwan Relations Act obligations, consistent with the Three Communiques; and (2) continued comprehensive engagement with the PRC.
On the first point, I'd like to focus on our obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act -- or TRA -- which we take very seriously at the Pentagon. Briefly, the TRA requires that we:
-- Assess the military balance to ascertain Taiwan's defense needs; -- Provide articles and services necessary to Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability;
-- keep Congress informed on Taiwan's security requirements; and -- maintain the capacity of the United States to resist force or coercion against the people of Taiwan.
The United States will meet its obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act. We do this not only because it is required by law, nor simply as a favor to our friends in Taipei. We do so because this is a key part of the strategy that will help to secure long term peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and in the region.
In assessing Taiwan's defense needs, the Department of Defense and U.S. military have dedicated significant intelligence resources over the past two decades to monitoring the military balance in the Strait. We also have an active dialogue with Taiwan's security authorities to keep current on their defense issues. Additionally, through engagement with the PRC, and dialogue with the People's Liberation Army, we gain clearer insights into Chinese military capabilities and intentions. We continue to improve our efforts in all areas that help us carry out our responsibility to asses the balance.
On our second obligation, I note that we have helped Taiwan gain a formidable capacity to defend itself and to maintain a strong defense posture. Taiwan has acquired defensive systems from us in recent years including F-16 fighters, Knox Class Frigates, M-60A tanks, and the Modified Air Defense System -- a Patriot system derivative. We have an annual process through which Taiwan may request defense articles and services. We continually reevaluate Taiwan's posture to ensure we provide Taiwan with sufficient self-defense capability, and comply with the terms of the 1982 Communique and the declarations by President Reagan at that time.
Our third obligation is to keep Congress informed. In this regard, as we are doing before you today, we maintain a very active dialogue with Members of Congress and staff of relevant committees. We do this not only due to TRA requirements, but because it is not possible for any Administration to maintain a China policy that supports our national interest without the active involvement and support of Congress.
Finally, the TRA obliges us to maintain the United States' capacity to resist any resort to force or coercion that would jeopardize the security of Taiwan. This obligation is consistent with America's overall strategy in the region, our commitment to peace and stability, and our regional military posture. The Administration's commitment to maintaining 100,000 troops in the region for the foreseeable future is well-known and widely appreciated throughout the region. Our forward deployed troops in the Asia-Pacific region, including our assets afloat, stand ready.
As you know, we have sent the USS Independence CVBG closer to Taiwan, and will be repositioning the USS Nimitz CV13G to the Western Pacific. These actions are a signal of our concern and of the seriousness with which we view the situation. They are prudent precautionary measures. We have important interests in the region, and these actions assure that the carriers are in position to be helpful if they need be. They will also assist us in monitoring the situation. These forces do not serve to threaten China, nor any other country in the region. These forces serve as a reminder that American strength is solid and enduring, and we are prepared to protect our national interests. However, it is not appropriate to go beyond this overview into operational details, nor to speculate about hypothetical military contingencies.
Comprehensive engagement with the PRC is the second key I mentioned as being important to achieving long term peace and security. Though we disagree strongly with this particular set of actions by Beijing, it is as important now as ever to maintain a dialogue. We do not do so as a favor to Beijing, but because it is in our own national interest -- and in the interest of Taiwan, and the rest of the region.
We choose to engage China even as tensions rise in the Taiwan Strait. We seek to prevent or minimize conflict through dialogue. As Secretary Perry has stated, engagement does not equate to appeasement, nor does it preclude using whatever means are necessary to protect our key national interests. It is only to say we prefer to protect our national interest through dialogue rather than force.
In the longer term, engagement with China is our best hope for developing a better understanding of the Chinese. It also represents our best hope for influencing China to act as a responsible participant in regional affairs -- including with respect to Taiwan. United States engagement with the PRC has the support of the region, and the support of Taiwan. Taipei understands its own security is enhanced when there exists a pragmatic and constructive dialogue between Washington and Beijing. This is our goal.
However, as Secretary Perry recently stated, it takes two to tango, and two to engage. Our policy accepts China at its word when it says it wants to become a responsible world power. Its time for China to start sending the right messages.
Thank you once again for the opportunity to address this important topic today. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.
(end official statement)
NNNN
File Identification: 03/14/96, EPF406; 03/14/96, EUR413; 03/15/96, AXF506
Product Name: Wireless File
Product Code: WF
Keywords: CAMPBELL, KURT/Speaker; CHINA-US
RELATIONS; CHINA-TAIWAN RELATIONS; TAIWAN-US RELATIONS; MILITARY CAPABILITIES; COMPREHENSIVE ENGAGEMENT/Policy; MILITARY EXERCISES
Document Type: TXT
Thematic Codes: 1EA
Target Areas: EA;
EU
PDQ Text Link: 427271
USIA Notes: *96031406.EPF
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