U.S. WILL INTERVENE IN CASE OF MAINLAND CHINA ATTACK: U.S. OFFICIAL
2003-12-10 19:02:46
Washington, Dec. 9 (CNA) The United States will stick to its pledge to help Taiwan defend itself should Beijing use force against Taiwan, a senior U.S. official said Tuesday.
The official made the comment after U.S. President George W. Bush met visiting mainland Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao for talks in Washington.
Claiming that the Bush's pledge made in April 2001 to help Taiwan remains valid and that the United States will stop playing ambiguous games on the issue, the official quoted Bush as telling Wen: " Look, you know, if you force us, if you try to use force or coercion against Taiwan, we are going to be there."
Asked whether the United States will also help Taiwan if it provokes mainland China, such as by holding a referendum on the independence-unification issue, the official made it clear that Washington will give clear messages to both sides that Beijing should not use military force against Taiwan, while Taiwan should not move toward independence.
It would be very dangerous for Taiwan to change the status quo unilaterally, the official noted, adding that Bush's concern over Taiwan's plan to hold a defensive referendum is aimed at ensuring that the people of Taiwan are aware that the United States will never agree on Taiwan's intention to unilaterally change its current status.
(By Jorge Liu and Flor Wang)
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