US WON'T SUPPORT TAIWAN IN DEVELOPING GROUND-TO-GROUND MISSILES
Washington, Dec. 9 (CNA) An official with the US Department of State indirectly said on Thursday that the US government would not encourage and would not support Taiwan in developing long-range ground-to-ground missiles.
John Holum, senior adviser for arms control and international security, made the remarks while answering a question about mainland Chinese missile buildup and Republic of China Vice President Lien Chan's statement that Taiwan should develop long-range missiles.
Holum said, "I would echo the president's statement that we view with very serious concern any buildup and any threatening gestures that suggest a violent approach to the Taiwan Strait and to the issue of China and Taiwan relations."
He went on to say that "the president has also made clear that our policy remains that of recognizing one China. But at the same time, consistent with the three communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), we believe that the future of Taiwan should be determined in a peaceful way between China and Taiwan, and we view with grave concern any indications or preparations for military action."
The official said that under an international accord on arms control, the US government would not encourage and would not support any country's development of missiles with a firing range greater than 300 kilometers and capable of carrying warheads weighing over 500 kilograms.
In reference to Taiwan's security, Holum noted that under the TRA, the US has "provided a great deal of defense technology and support to Taiwan, consistent with its security," adding that "we will continue to evaluate requests and programs in that light."
He stated that "it seems to me the right direction for both Taiwan and China, and certainly consistent with US policy, is to draw back from more ambitious military programs rather than embark on new ones." (By Herman Pan & Victor Lai)
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