DATE=2/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN - CHINA- CIA (L)
NUMBER=2-258796
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The head of the Central Intelligence Agency
says growing tensions between Taiwan and China could
spark another military "flare up" in the next few
months. As V-O-A's Jim Randle reports, C-I-A Director
George Tenet's comments come as Taiwan moves closer to
its March 18th elections.
TEXT: Around the time of Taiwan's the last election
four years ago, China tried to intimidate
independence-minded voters by "testing" some ballistic
missiles near the island. As tensions peaked,
President Clinton dispatched two U-S aircraft carrier
battle groups to the area.
C-I-A Director George Tenet says China's leadership is
deeply concerned by signs that Taiwan is moving toward
independence.
Mr. Tenet told Senate committees that Taiwan's
President Lee Teng-Hui (prono: lee DUNG-way) boosted
tensions last July when he said relations between the
island and China should be on a "state-to-state"
basis, rather than as a renegade province toward a
capital city.
Mr. Tenet says China's leadership may think another
"show of force" is necessary to preserve any hope of
reunifying Taiwan with the mainland.
/// Tenet Act ///
Because of this we see high potential for
another military flare up across the Taiwan
Strait.
/// End Act ///
He says Beijing will be watching to see if the winning
candidate plans to move Taiwan further in the
direction of independence.
Beijing has threatened to use force against Taiwan if
it declares independence.
Nationalist forces took over Taiwan (in 1949) after
they lost the Chinese civil war with the Communists on
the mainland.
Beijing regards the island as a rebellious province
that should be reunited with the mainland.
Mr. Tenet says China has a growing capacity to hurt
Taiwan, but lacks the military equipment needed to
invade the island.
/// Tenet Act ///
Although Beijing today lacks the sea- and
airlift capacity to invade Taiwan, China has
been increasing the size and sophistication of
its forces arrayed along the strait, most
notably by deploying short-range ballistic
missiles.
/// End Act ///
Military experts say China now has about six-hundred
ballistic missiles facing Taiwan - about double the
force of four years ago.
Beijing is also improving its navy by adding two
Russian-built destroyers armed with anti-ship and
anti-aircraft missiles. Mr. Tenet says the new ships
will arrive later this month and likely join the East
Sea fleet, which operates near Taiwan. (Signed).
NEB/JR/ENE/JP
03-Feb-2000 15:23 PM EDT (03-Feb-2000 2023 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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