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U.S. Department of State

Daily Press Briefing

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QUESTION: China and missiles - reports this morning in The Financial Times -

MR. RUBIN: You guys are reading too many newspapers.

QUESTION: -- concerns about increased targeting of Chinese missiles of Taiwan. I don't know if you can say anything about that, but in relation to the Secretary's visit there.

MR. RUBIN: Certainly the subject of Taiwan, and our unofficial relationship with Taiwan, is normally part of any high-level discussion, and I would expect it to be part of the discussions the Secretary has in China.

Let me say, on the specific question of the report by the Pentagon, all I can tell you is that we carefully monitor the military balance in the Taiwan Strait on an ongoing basis. The Defense Department is preparing a comprehensive assessment of the military balance in the region, including missile deployments. That report is expected to be transmitted very soon, or in the near future, to the Congress.

With respect to suggestions that this justifies providing Taiwan with theater missile defense, let me say the Taiwan authorities are currently addressing their own capabilities and needs. Their interests at this point appears to be primarily informational. We remain firmly committed to fulfilling the Taiwan Relations Act, and we will continue to assist Taiwan in meeting its legitimate defense needs, in accordance with this law and the 1982 Joint Communiqué with China.

Consistent with our obligations under this law and part of our policy, we regularly consult with Taiwan on its defense requirements. As part of these defense requirements, we have briefed Taiwan, as we have many other friends, on theater missile defense. We do expect this report that has generated this article in this specific newspaper to be submitted shortly. But it would be impossible for me to talk about a report that has not yet been submitted, or to comment on information that might be of a sensitive nature.

QUESTION: But the Taiwanese -- (inaudible) - want information about purchase of a Patriot?

MR. RUBIN: As I indicated, their interest in theater missile defense appears to be primarily informational.

(The briefing concluded at 1:40 P.M.)

[end of document]