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Ex-U.S. security adviser confident about U.S.-Taiwan relations

ROC Central News Agency

2008-01-23 21:00:58

    Taipei, Jan. 23 (CNA) The fundamental aspects of U.S.-Taiwan relations are good and solid, and people should look at them with a broader vision than focusing on small differences, a former U.S. official said in Taipei Wednesday. "Despite the chasms between Taiwan and the U.S. over certain issues, the two still share many other universal values, such as democracy, " Jack Crouch, a former U.S. deputy national security adviser, told a Central News Agency reporter.

    Crouch said he would expect future relations to be even brighter and healthier, both politically and economically, with both the U.S. and Taiwan welcoming a new political environment in 2008.

    The former assistant and adviser to U.S. President George W. Bush was speaking after giving a speech, titled "U.S. Strategy for the Emerging Northeast Asian Security Challenges," at the Foreign Affair Research Center of Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    Crouch also said he is proud of Taiwan's success in holding its legislative elections on Jan. 12, adding that the United States is once again impressed by the wisdom of the Taiwanese people.

    Regarding Taiwan¡¦s U.N. referendums scheduled along with the March 22 presidential election, Crouch said that the U.S. government has made its stance clear, and since he no longer works for the government and this is a private visit, he was reluctant to comment on the political issue.

    But personally, Crouch said, he views the referendum as a ¡§ political choice¡¨to be made by the Taiwanese people and he respects whatever the outcome may be. Washington has voiced its opposition to the referendum seeking U.N. membership for Taiwan under the name "Taiwan, " calling the move "provocative." China also has strongly objected, seeing the referendum as another attempt by pro-independence forces in Taiwan to inch toward formal independence for the island.

    Crouch said that Monday he met with the Kuomintang's presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou, and had a wonderful talk with him on a number of subjects. They met once before in the U.S. during his tenure in the White House, he added.

    He also met with the foreign policy adviser of Frank Hsieh, the presidential candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, but meeting Hsieh himself is not on the agenda, Crouch said, noting Hsieh's busy campaign schedule.

    On his meeting with President Chen Shui-bian Wednesday morning, Crouch said that the United States and Taiwan should continue to maintain cooperation in the implementation of democracy here.

    Crouch said he will keep paying attention to Taiwan's efforts in further promoting democracy even though he has returned to the private sector.

    President Chen extended a cordial welcome to Crouch, describing him as a good friend to and staunch supporter of Taiwan when serving in the U.S. government. This is Crouch's first time visiting Taiwan.

(By Rachel Chan)

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