DATE=7/15/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251784
TITLE=TAIWAN / CHINA (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=KENDALL BUHL
DATELINE=TAIPEI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: TAIWAN IS MOVING TO ASSURE THE UNITED STATES THAT
CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS BY ITS PRESIDENT OVER THE WEEKEND DO NOT
CONSTITUTE A CHANGE IN ITS POLICY TOWARDS CHINA. KENDALL BUHL
REPORTS FROM TAIPEI THAT THE TAIWAN GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED ABOUT
WASHINGTON'S REACTION TO THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.
TEXT: TAIWAN OFFICIALS HAD HOPED THAT BY INSISTING BEIJING DEAL
WITH TAIPEI AS AN EQUAL AND NOT AS A PART OF CHINA -- THEY COULD
ELIMINATE THE DILEMMA THE "ONE CHINA" PHILOSOPHY HAD CAUSED FOR
POTENTIAL DIPLOMATIC ALLIES, AND THUS EASE TAIPEI'S DIPLOMATIC
ISOLATION.
BUT PRESIDENT LEE TENG-HUI'S SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT SATURDAY THAT
HE WILL INSIST ON STATE-TO-STATE RELATIONS HAS ONLY FURTHER
ISOLATED THE ISLAND FROM ITS MOST INFLUENTIAL NON-OFFICIAL ALLY:
THE UNITED STATES. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WAS QUICK TO
REAFFIRM ITS COMMITMENT TO "ONE CHINA," THE CORNERSTONE OF
TAIWAN-CHINA RELATIONS FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS.
WHAT HAS RATTLED OFFICIALS HERE IS THE RESPONSE WEDNESDAY FROM
EVEN TAIWAN'S STAUNCHEST SUPPORTERS IN WASHINGTON -- INCLUDING
SENATOR ROBERT TORRICELLI. HE ACCUSED TAIWAN OF UNNECESSARILY
RAISING TENSIONS ACROSS THE TAIWAN STRAIT AND SUGGESTED PERHAPS
THE UNITED STATES SHOULD START RETHINKING ITS COMMITMENT TO SELL
ARMS TO TAIWAN.
POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY THAT VEILED THREAT HAS TAIPEI WONDERING IF
IT CAN COUNT ON U-S SUPPORT IF CHINA BEGINS EARNEST
SABER-RATTLING. BEIJING REFUSES TO GIVE UP THE OPTION OF ONE DAY
USING FORCE TO RETAKE THE ISLAND, WHICH IT HAS CONSIDERED A
RENEGADE PROVINCE SINCE THE COMMUNISTS WON THEIR CIVIL WAR WITH
THE NATIONALISTS IN 1949.
IN 1996, DURING TAIWAN'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, CHINA HELD
MASSIVE, LIVE-FIRE EXERCISES OFF THE COAST OF TAIWAN. THE UNITED
STATES RESPONDED BY SENDING TWO AIRCRAFT CARRIERS TO THE REGION.
KEEPING IN MIND THE IMPORTANCE OF U-S SUPPORT, PRESIDENT LEE
WEDNESDAY PROMISED WASHINGTON'S DE FACTO AMBASSADOR IN TAIWAN --
AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN CHIEF DARYL JOHNSON, -- THAT
TAIPEI'S POLICY TOWARDS ITS RIVAL HAS NOT ESSENTIALLY CHANGED.
AND ALL GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO MAKE THE SAME
ASSURANCES TO THE PUBLIC. THE LOCAL STOCK MARKET, THE KEY
BAROMETER OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE, PLUMMETED NEARLY SEVEN PERCENT
ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/KB/GC/JO
15-Jul-99 12:29 AM EDT (0429 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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