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Taiwan urges U.S. to engage in strategic dialogue

ROC Central News Agency

2011/04/28 13:23:39

By Jorge Liu and Sofia Wu

Washington, April 27 (CNA) Taiwan has asked the United States to engage in a new bilateral "political-military" dialogue, a Taiwanese defense official said on Wednesday during his visit to Washington, D.C.

Vice Defense Minister Andrew Nien-dzu Yang spoke to reporters after attending a seminar on U.S. assistance to Taiwan's defense that was sponsored by the Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based think tank.

He said the geopolitical climate surrounding Taiwan has changed. Now, with increasing interaction across the Taiwan Strait, conflicts between the two Koreas, concerns over the energy supply, a radiation crisis in Japan, and Taiwan military's increasing capability for post-disaster relief, Taiwan wants a higher platform to exchange views with U.S. officials so that both parties can maintain regional peace and stability.

Yang said such a platform can bring officials on both sides to engage directly on strategic and security affairs.

U.S. authorities, however, have so far not responded to Taiwan's proposal, he added.

Asked why the two sides need a new "political-military" dialogue when they already have regular "Monterey Talks, " Yang said the "Monterey Talks" focus only on military issues, while the proposed new dialogue widens the discussion toward strategy and security.

Yang said the idea has long been discussed between both sides. But the recent disasters in Japan have made such a channel of communication even more urgent, prompting Taiwan to make a formal request to the U.S. administration.

On other Taiwanese security issues, Yang remained relatively mum.

Asked whether he has presented a proposal to purchase F-16 C/D jet fighters during his current U.S. trip, Yang said he has only spoken with think tank staff to exchange views and has not met any U.S. officials.

But American officials were reportedly present at an event that Yang attended earlier this week -- a closed-door seminar sponsored by Washington-based think tank Center for a New American Security.

Reporters also asked Yang to respond to recent suggestions by some American commentators that the U.S. government should re-consider its arms sales policy toward Taiwan in light of U.S.-China relations.

Yang said such overtures have not affected the official U.S. policy to help Taiwan defend itself.