Powell warns against Taiwan independence

MSNBC ^ | Dec. 5 2003 | Reuters

[yonif]

While asserting that the escalating cross-straits rhetoric is ''not alarming,'' Powell said: ''We hope both sides will realize where their interests lie and be careful about what they say.''

Powell, speaking to reporters after escorting Jordan's King Abdullah from the State Department, said he spoke earlier by telephone with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

''We reaffirmed to the Chinese again today, and will when Premier Wen (Jiabao) is here next week, that we remain totally committed to our 'one-China' policy founded on the three communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act and we do not support an independence movement and we do not support independence for Taiwan,'' Powell said.

[rovenstinez]

Taiwan IS Independent, when has it gone to China and asked for counsel, permission, constituitionality concerns. They ARE Free of China, so why can't they have their Indepence Day. Is someone afraid of Big Red China?

[squidly]

Is someone afraid of Big Red China?

Yup.

[cyborg]

Powell is becoming quite the busybody isn't he? What is the big deal with Taiwan's independence?

[matrix2225]

I am not. Let United States cut their trade with United States. By doing this it will cut their ability to finance their military, which by the way, is nothing more but reverse technology from Russia and US. One point I would like to make; to win a war is not by numbers, but by strategy and wisdom. China got their bud kicked when they thought they can just cross the border with Russians. They got their bud kicked by Americans and Taiwan’s in 50 when they tried to take over that island. One thing remains: US will have to do what Great Britain did in the late of 19 century, remilitarize Japan. This time, however Japan will know how to use its power

[Becki]

What in the world is wrong with this man?

Becki

[SunStar]

''We reaffirmed to the Chinese again today, and will when Premier Wen (Jiabao) is here next week, that we remain totally committed to our 'one-China' policy founded on the three communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act and we do not support an independence movement and we do not support independence for Taiwan,'' Powell said.

DUMB AS SH*T.

This is worthy of a pink slip. We need a new Secretary of State!

[GeronL]

The US needs a One-Taiwan policy

[MJY1288]

Bingo, There is more than one way to skin a cat

[squidly]

Wasn't meaning to express fear myself either, but the question was whether or not someone is afraid, and unfortunately the answer to that is yes.

This whole business is of course very silly. Taiwan is independent, but they can't say so because China would lose face. Frankly, I've had it up to here with Orientals trying to save face, my apologies if that is your ethnic heritage.

[joesnuffy]

Good ole Powell promotes HAMAS and Arafat's interests...over Israel
And the Red Chinese commies over a democratic Taiwan....
Kinda Anti-American isnt it?
Kinda makes a person wonder how he can act so contrary to what GW says are 'His" thoughts on such subjects.....
Janus had such a face

[Swiss]

Powell wants a Don't Ask Don't Tell policy about Taiwan's independence.

[dennisw]

Free China (Taiwan) and free Israel. Hands off Sec. Powell!! Go home and decorate your tree.

[squidly]

Just doing his job, really. State Department is nothing but a euphemism for appeasement society, since that's most of what they do. I don't like it much either, but that's the way it is.

[Steel Wolf]

The Bush administration has greatly accelerated the U.S. defense relationship with Taiwan, a development that has made Beijing anxious.

Exactly. Powell can say 'Shanghai communique' all day long, but who cares? The bottom line is that talk is cheap, but advanced weaponry isn't. China knows that we have the potential to play them for real suckers.

Beijing, thanks to the pressure already applied, has been very accommodating to our requests for help with North Korea. Not as much as we'd like, however. We do retain the 'Taiwan angle' as additional leverage. We can't hand Taiwan over to them, but we can sure keep it out of their grasp.

[yonif]

One china policy should mean a policy where Taiwan's government rules over the mainland and no communist party.

[ImpotentRage]

What in the world is wrong with this MAN? What in the world is wrong with this administration allowing this MAN to voice such comments. I am getting really tired of Clinton-light from what was SUPPOSED to be a conservative (at least MORE conservative) administration.

[RWR8189]

"The advance of freedom is the calling of our time; it is the calling of our country.

But with all the tests and all the challenges of our age, this is, above all, the age of liberty." President George W. Bush November 6, 2003

Prove it W!  Talk is cheap, either we stand for liberty and freedom or we dont.

[yonif]

In addition, by principle, supporting the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state is against freedom as well, as the establishment will be of a terrorist, dictatorial state.

[RLK]

DUMB AS SH*T. This is worthy of a pink slip. We need a new Secretary of State!

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Uh, he acting on Bush's orders. You don't need a new Secretary of State. We need a new president. Why is it you are so reluctant to say that?