U.S. HAS RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP TAIWAN, CHINA AVOID CONFLICT: RICE
ROC Central News Agency
2006-03-17 12:10:50
Washington, March 16 (CNA) The United States has the responsibility to help both sides of the Taiwan Strait avoid conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Australia Thursday.
Rice made the remarks in response to a question regarding Taiwan during an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Co. in Sydney.
Rice reiterated that the United States has a "one China" policy based on the three U.S.-China communiques and that the United States also has obligations to help Taiwan defend itself. "But we've been very clear with China and with Taiwan that we don't expect anybody to try to change the status quo unilaterally. From time to time we have had to say to Taiwan that it has engaged in behavior that is problematic for stability. From time to time we've had to say to China don't threaten with missile batteries that look as if they're aimed at Taiwan," Rice said. "We've kept to our principles, but we've also recognized our responsibility to help the Chinese and Taiwan avoid any conflict, which would be in no one's interest -- China, Taiwan or the region," she added.
(By Oliver Lin and Y.F. Low)
ENDITEM/Li
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