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Former pentagon official optimistic about U.S. arms sales to Taiwan

ROC Central News Agency

Taipei, July 23 (CNA) Paul Wolfowitz, former United States deputy secretary of defense, appeared optimistic Tuesday in Taipei regarding U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, saying that the Bush administration will push a weapons package forward and that the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council will continue to support the deal.

Wolfowitz made the remarks in his luncheon speech to the members of the Taipei-based American Chamber of Commerce as chairman of the U.S. -Taiwan Business Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing the trade and business relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan.

Many reports suggested that the U.S. government appears unlikely to proceed with approval of the US$11 billion arms package, as the Bush administration has not yet notified Congress of the arms seals, a step that is required before the weapons can be released to Taiwan.

Noting that in April 2001, U.S. President George W. Bush committed the U.S. government to selling certain arms to Taiwan, Wolfowitz, who was the no. 2 Pentagon figure from 2001 to 2005, was optimistic about the prospects for the weapons package.

"Bush is strong at keeping his commitments. I believe, therefore, that the arms sales will go forward," he said.

"The U.S.-Taiwan Business Council has been a very strong advocate and we hope continue to be a very strong advocate for the U.S. to maintain its commitment to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act, " added Wolfowitz, who became president of the World Bank after retiring from government.

Passed by the U.S. Congress in 1979 after the establishment of U.S. relations with the People's Republic of China and the breaking of relations between the U.S. and the Republic of China, the TRA guarantees defensive arms sales to Taiwan.

Wolfowitz said Taiwan must protect its security to maintain its democratic and economic success.

"It is a complicated equation that involves not just the military balance, but it starts there," he said.

Known as a major architect of Bush's security and foreign policies, Wolfowitz pointed to President Ma Ying-jeou's "three noes" -- no independence, no unification and no use of force -- as being very useful in reducing cross-Taiwan Strait tension.

"This reduces the chance for conflict and strengthens U.S.-Taiwan relations," he said.

Wolfowitz said that the U.S. welcomes the renewed engagement between Taiwan and China and must remain steadfast in its support for Taiwan's democracy and security to ensure that Taiwan feels confident enough to engage in meaningful dialogue with China.

Noting that Taiwan, like Turkey, occupies a highly strategic position near various potential flashpoints, Wolfowitz was highly impressed with Taiwan's ability to overcome challenges and turn them into opportunities, not only for itself but also for the rest of the world.

"Taiwan demonstrated what could be done. This was influential on later economic reforms undertaken by the Chinese government, " according to Wolfowitz.

"I do think that in the long run, Taiwan will have a much bigger influence on the mainland than the mainland will have on Taiwan, " he added. (By Rachel Chan) ENDITEM/J