DATE=3/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TAIWAN / U-S (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259801
BYLINE=GRACE CUTLER
DATELINE=HONG KONG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The top Clinton Administration official for
the Asia - Pacific region has re-stated the
administration's opposition to a bill being considered
by Congress that would enhance U-S military contacts
with Taiwan. Speaking at a news conference in Hong
Kong, Stanley Roth said the measure would hurt, not
help, Taiwan's security. VOA's Grace Cutler has
details from Hong Kong.
TEXT: Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and
Pacific Affairs Stanley Roth says the Taiwan Security
Enhancement Act would be destabilizing.
/// ROTH ACT ///
We believe it would hurt Taiwan's security, that
it would raise tensions in the strait, that it
would run the risk of an unhelpful Chinese
response and if you want to help Taiwan, the way
to do it is not passing legislation that could
actually make the security situation worse.
/// END ACT ///
Assistant Secretary Roth says legislation already in
place, known as the Taiwan Relations Act, is working
well. The measure commits the United States to defend
Taiwan in the event of an attack by China.
Beijing last month issued a policy paper threatening a
military attack on Taiwan if the island indefinitely
postpones reunification talks with the mainland. That
warning appeared to bolster congressional support for
the new legislation in the Senate, legislation which
the House of Representatives has already approved.
President Clinton has threatened to veto the measure
if it is passed. Supporters of the bill say it will
give Taiwan the protection it needs against repeated
threats from Beijing. China is strengthening its
military arsenal and has repeatedly threatened to
attack Taiwan if it moves toward independence.
China has also denounced U-S involvement in Taiwan's
security, saying Washington is interfering in the
mainland's internal affairs. Sino-U-S relations have
been further strained as the United States is
considering the island's request to buy a number of
advanced weapons systems. That decision will be made
next month. (Signed)
NEB/GC/FC/KL
03-Mar-2000 07:19 AM EDT (03-Mar-2000 1219 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
