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U.S. MIGHT NOT USE FULL FORCE TO HELP TAIWAN: SEN. WARNER

ROC Central News Agency

2006-03-08 20:31:11

    Washington, March 7 (CNA) Senator John Warner, chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, said Tuesday that he is not so sure if his country would use full force to help Taiwan in case a cross-Taiwan Strait conflict is spurred inappropriately by Taiwanese elected officials.

    Warner made the statement at a hearing of the Senated Armed Services Committee on military strategy and operational requirements in defense budget when he commented on Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's decision to cease the function of the National Unification Council against the background of China's continuing buildup of missiles targeted at Taiwan. The hearing was attended by Adm. William Fallon, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, and other high-ranking U.S. officers.

    Warner said that if conflict is precipitated by inappropriate and wrongful politics generated by Taiwanese elected officials, he is not certain that the U.S. will come to their rescue in full force.

    Sen. Warner, the committee chairman, said he supports Taiwan building up its military in the face of growing Chinese military expansion, but at the same time they should also cool down the heated politics.

    Adm. Fallon also said at the hearing that President Chen's decision was "not particularly helpful", but he observed tensions between China ad Taiwan in general have significantly reduced from a year ago.

    The United States is "trying to walk a thin line" in supporting China's efforts to act as a positive force in the region while also honoring U.S. obligations to defend Taiwan, Fallon said.

(By Oliver Lin and Taijing Wu)

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