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DATE=7/21/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-252009
TITLE=U-S - TAIWAN (L)
BYLINE=GIL BUTLER
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT IS DENYING REPORTS THAT MILITARY
SALES TO TAIWAN MAY BE HELD UP TO SHOW DISPLEASURE AT TAIPEI'S 
ABANDONMENT OF A "ONE-CHINA" POLICY.  AN AMERICAN MILITARY 
DELEGATION'S VISIT TO TAIWAN IS BEING POSTPONED FOR ONE WEEK, BUT
A SPOKESMAN SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS STILL FULLY COMMITTED TO 
SUPPLY TAIWAN WITH WEAPONS.  V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS A REPORT FROM
THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
TEXT:  WEDNESDAY'S WASHINGTON TIMES NEWSPAPER SAYS THE UNITED 
STATES IS CONSIDERING A CUTOFF OF MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO TAIWAN 
AS A SIGN OF DISPLEASURE OVER PRO-INDEPENDENCE COMMENTS.  THE 
REPORT QUOTES AN UNNAMED SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL AS SAYING
THE UNITED STATES POSTPONED A VISIT TO TAIWAN BY PENTAGON 
OFFICIALS BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT SITUATION.
THE PLANNED VISIT BY U-S DEFENSE OFFICIALS WAS PUT OFF FOR ONE 
WEEK.  INSTEAD, THE HEAD OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN -- 
THE UNOFFICIAL U-S LINK WITH TAIWAN -- WILL HOLD TALKS THERE 
THURSDAY ON THE NEW CHINA-TAIWAN DISPUTE.
HERE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN DENIES THE 
CHANGE IN SCHEDULE CONSTITUTES ANY CHANGE IN AMERICAN POLICY.  HE
SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE 
NECESSARY ARMS FOR  AIWAN'S SECURITY. 
                        /// RUBIN ACT ///
         SO TO SUGGEST THAT BECAUSE THE DIALOGUE HAS GONE THROUGH
         WHAT IT HAS GONE THROUGH OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, 
         THAT WE WOULD  NOT  PROVIDE  SOMETHING WE THOUGHT WAS 
         NECESSARY FOR THE  DEFENSE OF TAIWAN, IS SIMPLY  NOT  
         BASED ON FACT OR ON OUR POLICY CONTEMPLATIONS, AND THAT 
         IS  WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE STORY.
                         /// END ACT ///
IN ADDITION TO THE TALKS IN TAIPEI, SENIOR AMERICAN EAST ASIA 
ADVISORS WILL TALK WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS IN BEIJING IN AN EFFORT
TO EASE THE NEW TENSIONS BETWEEN TAIWAN AND CHINA.  U-S OFFICIALS
HAVE REPEATEDLY CRITICIZED ANY STATEMENTS OR ACTIONS THAT MAKE A 
CROSS-STRAIT DIALOGUE BETWEEN BEIJING AND TAIPEI MORE DIFFICULT, 
AND ALL -- INCLUDING PRESIDENT CLINTON -- HAVE STRESSED THAT THE 
ISSUE MUST BE SETTLED PEACEFULLY.   (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/WTW
21-Jul-99 2:56 PM EDT (1856 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.