Policy Chairman Hails Passage of Taiwan Security
Enhancement Act
Cites Bipartisan, Veto-Proof Margin
WASHINGTON, D.C.
(February 1, 2000)--House Policy Chairman Christopher Cox called
today's overwhelming passage of the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act
"a ringing bipartisan commitment to freedom and democracy in Asia."
"This is a good
example of how even in an election year, bipartisanship is possible in the
House of Representatives," Chairman Cox said, following approval of the
legislation by a lopsided 341-70--more than enough to override a
threatened Clinton veto.
Rep. Cox, the author
of the only bill to ever become law over a Clinton veto--the Securities
Litigation Reform Act--further observed that if the President were to follow through on his threat to veto this legislation,
"it would
nonetheless become law."
Chairman Cox continued:
"Today, even
more than in 1979, Taiwan's security is critical to America's
interests. Taiwan is now America's seventh largest trading
partner, and buys far more from the U.S. than does the PRC. The
sea-lanes surrounding Taiwan are vital to the economic health of Asia
and to the sustained growth of U.S. exports to Asia. Perhaps most
important of all, a democratic Taiwan stands as a living example to all
of the people of China that they too can build a prosperous, peaceful
democracy. The Clinton-Gore administration has repeatedly rejected
Taiwan's requests for essential defensive weapons-including Aegis naval-based air-defense radar.
"The Clinton-Gore administration's refusal to sell Taiwan the defensive
weapons it requires to defend against the PLA is creating a growing
military imbalance, violating both the letter and the spirit of the
Taiwan Relations Act, and ironically increasing the risk that the PRC
will mistake U.S. intentions and attack Taiwan.
"The Taiwan Security Enhancement Act
overwhelmingly approved by the House today fills this presidential leadership vacuum
by maintaining the long-standing U.S. commitment to provide Taiwan with
the defensive military strength it needs to deter the PRC. The Act
calls for:
Ensuring
that US-Taiwan military ties are at least as close as US-PLA ties.
The
State Department currently bars senior U.S. military officers from
meeting their Taiwan counterparts, and consequently Taiwan is not
aware of the latest U.S. developments in doctrine and tactics.
Meanwhile, enhanced contacts between U.S. and PLA officers of all
ranks have been a priority for the Clinton-Gore administration:
all U.S. generals and admirals are allowed to visit their
counterparts in the PRC. The Taiwan Security Enhancement Act
provides that our field-rank officers can have the same level of
relations with a friendly, defensive force as they currently have
with the PLA.
Increase
transparency of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. The 1979 Taiwan
Relations Act states, "The President and the Congress shall
determine the nature and quantity of such defense articles and
services based solely upon their judgment of the needs of Taiwan,"
but successive administrations have not consistently consulted the
Congress. The TSEA therefore calls for annual reporting to the
Congress on annual arms sales to Taiwan, which will go far to
fulfill this requirement of the Taiwan Relations Act.
