DATE=2/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON-TAIWAN (L)
NUMBER=2-258761
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The White House has served notice that
President Clinton intends to veto, if necessary, a
bill before Congress strengthening U-S military ties
with Taiwan. The legislation was approved (Tuesday)
by the House of Representatives, but it has not yet
been taken up by the Senate. The Clinton
administration says the measure would upset the
structure of U-S - China relations. V-O-A's David
Gollust has more from the White House.
TEXT: The bill which would set up formal military
links between the United States and Taiwan was
approved by an overwhelming 341-to-70 vote in the
House, with many members of the President's Democratic
Party joining majority Republicans in support of the
measure.
But the White House is making clear the measure will
face a presidential veto if it reaches Mr. Clinton's
desk, on grounds it could undo years of delicate China
diplomacy.
Proponents say increased U-S security support for
Taiwan is necessary for a number of reasons, including
a buildup of Chinese missile forces near the island.
However, in an appearance before U-S Asia scholars at
Washington's Woodrow Wilson Center, White House
National Security Adviser Sandy Berger said Taiwan's
defense needs are already being met, under legislation
approved at the time U-S relations with Beijing were
formalized two decades ago.
/// BERGER ACT ///
The Taiwan Relations Act has given us all the
authority we need to provide defensive equipment
to Taiwan. But that has all taken place within
the construct [concept] of a one-China policy in
which our relationship with Taiwan is
unofficial, not official. What this act would
do for the first time would be to make our
military-to-military relationship official and
formal. And in so doing it upset the very
delicate and successful balance that has existed
for 25 years across the Taiwan straits and has
contributed to both peace and stability and
growth in Taiwan and China.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Berger says the Taiwan measure was rushed through
the House by its Republican sponsors. He predicts the
administration's arguments against the bill will
prevail in the Senate, where he expects a "more
deliberate" debate.
The existing law allows the United States to provide
Taiwan with defensive weapons -- while leaving open
the possibility of a U-S military response if China
tries to resolve its dispute with Taiwan by force.
The House bill calls for creation of direct military
communications links with Taiwan. It would expand U-S
training of Taiwanese military personnel and give
Congress a more direct role in deciding what U-S
weapons systems could be sent there.
China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province,
has condemned the bill as a complete violation of the
agreements underpinning its relationship with
Washington. (Signed)
NEB/DAG/WTW
02-Feb-2000 17:11 PM EDT (02-Feb-2000 2211 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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