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AIT CHIEF REAFFIRMS U.S. DEFENSE COMMITMENT TO TAIWAN

ROC Central News Agency

2007-06-15 03:05:50

    Taipei, June 14 (CNA) Visiting American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Raymond F. Burghardt said Thursday that the U.S. government attaches great importance to its relations with Taiwan because it is committed to helping with Taiwan's defense.

    Against this backdrop, Burghardt said it is very important for both sides to maintain constant dialogue and communications while dutifully keeping their communications transparent.

    Burghardt, who as the AIT chief is the top U.S. liaison officer with Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic ties, made the remarks after meeting with a number of Taiwanese political heavyweights, including President Chen Shui-bian, Premier Chang Chun-hsiung and Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng.

    President Chen told Burghardt that he looks forward to seeing the U.S. government reaffirms its "Six Assurances" to Taiwan and thereby underscore that there has been no change in its stance on Taiwan's sovereign status.

    The "Six Assurances" made by the Reagan administration to Taiwan in 1982 include that the United States would not set a date for termination of arms sales to Taiwan; not alter the terms of the Taiwan Relations Act; not consult with China in advance before making decisions about U.S. arms sales to Taiwan; not mediate between Taiwan and China; not alter its position about the sovereignty of Taiwan; and not pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with China.

    Burghardt, who arrived in Taiwan Wednesday to inspect AIT operations and get first-hand information about Taiwan's latest developments, didn't make a direct response to Chen's request. Instead he said he expects the Taiwan government's long-stalled 2007 budget bill to clear the legislature soon.

    The budget bill includes partial funding for the acquisition of U.S.-built submarine-hunting aircraft, the upgrading of the country's Patriot missiles and the financing of a feasibility study as a first step toward purchasing diesel-electric submarines.

    Burghardt said the passage of the budget bill is very important for fulfilling U.S. commitment to aid Taiwan's defense. The United States is the only country in the world that maintains security commitment to Taiwan, he added.

(By Sofia Wu)

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