[EXCERPT] U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
BRIEFER: JOHN DINGER MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1997
QUESTION: Speaker Gingrich said to Chinese officials during his visit, "We will defend Taiwan, period." I wonder if you would put it as boldly as he did, (a); and is it appropriate for the Speaker of the House to speak for the Administration?
DINGER: As you all know, the Taiwan Relations Act governs our position on this issue. What I can do is briefly quote the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.
It says that, It is the policy of the United States to "consider any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, a threat to the peace and security of the Western and Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States."
According to the Act, the President is directed to inform the Congress promptly of any threat to the security or the social or economic system of the people of Taiwan and any danger to the interests of the United States arising therefrom.
The President and Congress shall determine, in accordance with constitutional processes, appropriate action by the United States in response to any such danger.
I would also note the U.S.-Chinese 1982 communique -- in that communique -- the PRC articulated its fundamental policy of resolving the Taiwan question by peaceful means.
That Act was passed by Congress in 1979, and I really can't add to that, I don't believe.
Q: What about the second part of the question, the propriety of the Speaker of the House saying what he said?
DINGER: The Act, as I just quoted, says that the President and Congress shall determine in accordance with constitutional processes appropriate action in response to any danger. Of course, we're dealing with a hypothetical situation here. Should there be an attack on Taiwan, Congress would have a role, in coordination with the President. The Speaker of the House obviously expressed his views. Our attitude towards this is governed the Taiwan Relations Act, and I simply don't have anything to add to our position. Of course, I don't want to interpret the Speaker's words for him.
Q: (Inaudible) released -
Q: Just a minute. So you're saying that this is a personal remark by him and not a policy?
DINGER: Actually, what I'm saying is the policy of the Administration -- actually, of the United States; it was passed by Congress in 1979 -- is the Taiwan Relations Act. I'd really refer you to the Speaker in terms of on what basis he was speaking. He obviously expressed his view. I can just point you to the Taiwan Relations Act which governs our relations.
Q: It sounds from your reading of it that the two branches would consult, or cooperate, and work together. Did Mr. Gingrich let the State Department or the Execution Branch, any agency thereof, know that he was going to make this statement?
DINGER: I don't know if he asked us for our opinion about this statement ahead of time. What we're dealing with here is a hypothetical situation -- should there be an attack on Taiwan. Frankly, I don't want to get too far into a hypothetical situation. So it's best just to refer back to our 1979 Taiwan Relations Act. It has stood the test of time, and it governs the policy of the United States on this issue. The Speaker certainly had every right to say what he had to say.
.................
Q: Have you seen the reports of the Russian sale of SS-4 medium-range missiles to Iran?
DINGER: I have not seen those reports.
Q: Could you see if you can work up some guidance on that? There are some stories out there today.
DINGER: We can look into the issue for you; sure.
..................
Q: Have we heard back from the North Koreans yet on Four Party talks, or have they requested any other meetings having to do with food?
DINGER: No, and no. No, we have not heard back; and, no, we have no plans at the present time, that I know of, for meetings since the one held last week.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
