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U.S. OFFICIAL CALLS FOR CALM IN TAIWAN STRAIT

ROC Central News Agency

2006-03-07 11:43:07

    Washington, March 6 (CNA) The United States urges the two sides across the Taiwan Strait to resolve their problems through dialogue, Christopher Hill, U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said during his visit to the Philippines.

    Hill made the remarks to reporters March 2 at the U.S. embassy in Manila.

    Asked about the increased tension between Taiwan and China following an announcement by Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian Feb. 27 that the National Unification Council, an entity created in 1990 to develop an action plan for the island's eventual reunification with China, would cease operations, Hill called for "calm." "We don't feel there is any role for military confrontation in this issue," he said. We believe these issues can be resolved through dialogue. There are a lot of mutual interests across the strait in making sure these issues can be worked out."

    Hill reiterated Washington's "one China" policy, as laid out in the three joint comuniques and the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.

    Hill was in Manila to attend a three-day regional forum meeting co-hosted by the U.S. and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to discuss issues such as conflict resolution, maritime security and counter-terrorism.

(By Oliver Lin & Elizabeth Hsu)

ENDITEM/Li