DATE=2/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TAWIAN - CHINA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258764
BYLINE=DERRICK MCELHERON
DATELINE=TAIPEI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Taiwan's official opposition party is hailing
the U-S House of Representatives passage of the Taiwan
Enhancement Act. The act calls for direct military
contact between the United States and Taiwan and
expanded training opportunities for Taiwan's military
officers. As we hear from Derrick McElheron in
Taipei, the Democratic Progressive Party says the move
will help usher in an era of peace across the Taiwan
Strait.
TEXT: Democratic Progressive Party officials say the
legislation will deter China from launching a possible
attack against Taiwan and enable Taiwanese to vote for
a new president without worrying about Chinese
military threats.
China considers Taiwan to be a break-away province and
has threatened to invade the island if Taipei scraps
its stated goal to reunify once the mainland becomes
more democratic and economically developed.
Bikham Xiao, spokeswoman for the party's presidential
candidate, Chen Shui-Bian, said although the D-P-P
encourages peaceful dialogue between Beijing and
Taipei, assuring security across the straight will
help stabilize the region.
//XIAO ACT//
We welcome the recognition prevalent among the
American people that the security of the Taiwan Strait
is vital to peace in the Pacific region that includes
the United States. So we appreciate the bipartisan
support for Taiwan security expressed by Congress and
the reaffirmation of the U-S commitment to the
security of Taiwan.
//END ACT//
During Taiwan's last presidential election, China
rattled Taiwanese nerves by test-firing missiles off
the coast.
Most analysts in Taiwan say they do not expect Beijing
to carry out similar intimidation tactics.
But earlier this week China again warned candidates it
would not tolerate any moves toward independence and
would wage war against the island if the winner of the
March 18th election declares statehood.
D-P-P presidential candidate, Chen Shui-Bian, is the
most independent leaning of the island's three major
candidates.
Beijing's ambassador to Washington, Li Zhoaxing, has
said any of Taiwan's candidates is acceptable except
for Chen. (signed)
NEB/DM/GC/PLM
03-Feb-2000 01:39 AM EDT (03-Feb-2000 0639 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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