Chen stands up to Bush

CNN ^ | December 10, 2003 | CNN

[Pern]

TAIPEI, Taiwan (CNN) -- Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian says he won't be swayed from plans to hold a controversial referendum on China's missile threat despite a stinging rebuke from the U.S. president.

George W. Bush on Tuesday warned Taipei against holding a referendum that could antagonize China, saying he wanted to maintain the status quo between the two rivals.

[finnman69]

It all comes down to this. Bush would like Taiwan to become independent, however, at the moment the US is hyper extended dealing with Afghanistan and Iraq. In addition, the US is counting on China to put pressure on North Korea to knock off their nuke program. The NK threat to the US is far more dangerous at the moment than the Taiwan issue. Using very public blunt language is designed to appease the Chinese.

Behind the scenes im sure Bush is telling the Chinese, 'ok we went to bat for you very publicly on Taiwan, let's see more pressure and progress with North Korea on their nukes'.

[joesnuffy]

Im with you Chen...
Live Free or Die
Once upon a time in the west...America stood for such principles...

[prairiebreeze]

I'm coming to the same conclusions based on what I've read so far. Interesting that I don't see North Korea mentioned at all in this CNN article.

Life is messy. The world is messy. As much as we'd like to apply the same paintbrush to each and every situation, it's often not possible. And it's often not wise to try.

I think you're correct in your assessment and that there is probably much being said and going on behind the scenes.

Prairie

[tallhappy]

Behind the scenes im sure Bush is telling the Chinese, 'ok we went to bat for you very publicly on Taiwan, let's see more pressure and progress with North Korea on their nukes'.

If this is what you think you must think Bush is the dumbest rube alive.

It won't happen. Appeasement of dictators never works. It is especially wrong when the appeasement is over empty bluster.

Bush blew it big time. This is the worst mistake of his presidency. It will hurt him.

[finnman69]

Why is he dumb? If China does not work for us as a result of what he did today, watch Bush's language on Taiwan shift in favor of Taiwan.

He blew nothing.

[em2vn]

Remember our history. The Chinese misread the Truman Administration's take on the reunion of Korea. They took the position to mean that America would not stand in the way of North Korea over powering South Korea. Instead of the intended meaning that we supported a reunion of the Koreas through a genuine political process.
I still support the President but he is getting so flaky lately that I think a strong candidate within the conservative movement could cause him substantial competition.
Remember, the President's bloodline is of that East coast,liberal leaning elements of patrician Republicans.

[finnman69]

It's ALL about North Korea. It's Nixonian/Kissinger triangular diplomacy in the 21st century. The reason you don't read about NK in the article is because the NK dicsussions are the primary topic of conversations in US-Sino discussions. Taiwan is the public and secondary topic of conversation.

[finnman69]

I might even argue that Bush is happy taiwan has gven us the opportunity to make a public statement on Chian and Taiwan maintaining the status quo. It gives Bush more negotiating power with China to put pressure on the Chinese. Bush knows Chen is still going to have the referendum.

[prairiebreeze]

I also think it's as much of a warning to China as it is Taiwan. It cuts both directions.

Prairie

[Filibuster_60]

I tend to agree. Dealing with the Chinese is not what it appears at face value. This is no time for a macho pissing contest with Beijing. The situation is under control: China is assured that we won't back provocative measures but we've also put them on notice that anything we deem unprovocative on Taiwan's part won't be tolerated as a pretext for war. If Taiwan is attacked without declaring formal independence, China will be held accountable. That position should be as clear today as it was when Bush first took office.