Washington, March 7 (CNA) US President Bill Clinton said Tuesday that any decision he makes on arms sales to Taiwan has to be in line with the Taiwan Relations Act and with general US policy in the Asia-Pacific region.
The New York Times reported the other day that given the latest Chinese threats of military force against Taiwan, the Clinton administration probably would agree to selling four destroyers equipped with the Aegis radar system and other advanced weaponry that Taiwan has requested.
During a press briefing on gun control legislation at the White House, Clinton was asked when he plans to act on Taiwan's request for new weapon systems, whether he thinks that granting such a request could help him with his China trade legislation on Capitol Hill, and whether he thinks Taiwan deserves the weapons after the recent Communist Chinese threats.
The president replied that "I don't know, because I have not sat down and looked at the facts. Any decision I make has to be made consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act and with our general policy in the area. But, I haven't had any meetings." (By Nelson Chung)
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