181 U.S. congressmen urge prompt sale of F-16 C/Ds to Taiwan
ROC Central News Agency
2011/08/02 19:47:57
Washington, Aug. 1 (CNA) One hundred and eighty-one United States' congressmen have urged the U.S. to sell F-16 C/D jet fighters to Taiwan as soon as possible to help ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
In a letter to President Barack Obama, the congressmen pressed the administration of Obama to sell the advanced fighters to Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979.
The appeal was initiated by four co-chairmen of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus-- a congressional subgroup friendly toward Taiwan -- Shelley Berkely (D-NV) , Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Phil Gingrey (R-GA).
Citing reports released by the U.S. Department of Defense, the congressmen said Taiwan is threatened by China's continued military build-up.
Moreover, many U.S.and Taiwanese experts have warned that Taiwan is losing its advantage of quality defensive weapons, as well as its military deterrence capability.
The TRA stipulates that the U.S. will "consider any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, including by boycotts or embargoes, a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States," they pointed out.
They said that the production lines for the F16 C/Ds will be forced to close as a result of the delayed decision by the U.S. govenment to sell the fighters to Taiwan.
The arms deal, if it goes through, would also help to create thousands of jobs for American people, the congressmen said.
Taiwan has repeatedly expressed its hope of buying 66 F-16 C/Ds to replace its aging fleet, but the U.S. goverrment has been reportedly tending toward simply upgrading the F-16 A/Bs in a bid to avoid offending China. (Chou Yung-chieh and Bear Lee) ENDITEM/J
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