Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=7/19/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S TAIWAN MILITARY (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-278437

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S and Taiwanese military officials are holding talks in California. But as V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida reports, the Pentagon is declining to provide any details.

TEXT: The Washington Times newspaper reported earlier this week that secret U-S/Taiwanese military talks were scheduled to begin shortly. V-O-A has independently learned the discussions began Thursday and were to continue on Friday.

Pentagon spokesman, Rear Admiral Craig Quigley, declines to confirm the California meeting. He only says in response to questions that the two sides hold discussions from time to time.

///QUIGLEY ACTUALITY///

We do frequently meet with representatives of the Taiwan military, in accordance with the terms of the Taiwan Relations Act, to discuss issues of interaction and means by which to provide for the defense of Taiwan. But by the same token, as a policy matter, we do not typically provide any details of those meetings. I will say that there have been seven of them in the last four years, since 1997.

///END ACTUALITY///

In April, U-S officials met Taiwanese authorities to present an extensive list of weapons the United States is willing to sell the island to bolster its defenses against possible Chinese threats.

At the time, Admiral Quigley called presentation of the list, a first step, and said it was up to Taiwan to next decide which weapons it wants.

The spokesman declines to say if Taiwan has now replied.

One controversial item on the list was an offer by the United States to provide Taiwan with up to eight diesel submarines. The United States no longer makes such vessels and advised Taiwan it would procure the designs from either Germany or the Netherlands.

Both those countries subsequently indicated they were unwilling to provide designs of their submarines for use by Taiwan.

Admiral Quigley says the Pentagon is continuing to work on the problem. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/FC