Posted on 10/26/2004 7:17:14 AM PDT by churchillbuff
Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) on Monday spoke of the eventual "reunification" of China and Taiwan, a comment likely to annoy Taiwanese officials who regard the island as an independent nation.
On a tour of Asia, Powell also said Taiwan does not enjoy "sovereignty as a nation" -- a long-standing but quietly held U.S. view whose blunt expression may irk independence-minded Taiwanese officials.
"We want to see both sides not take unilateral action that would prejudice an eventual outcome, a reunification that all parties are seeking," Powell told CNN International, according to a State Department transcript released in Washington.
The comment departed from the usual U.S. practice of urging both sides to resolve their differences peacefully via dialogue and of avoiding taking any stance on what the resolution should be.
In a separate interview with Hong Kong's Phoenix TV, also taped in Beijing, Powell rejected the position adopted by some Taiwanese officials that the island is a sovereign nation.
"Taiwan is not independent. It does not enjoy sovereignty as a nation, and that remains our policy, our firm policy," Powell told Phoenix TV.
U.S. officials said Powell's reunification comment was not intended to signal any change in U.S. policy and suggested he might use different language if asked the question again.
Asia analyst Alan Romberg of the Henry L. Stimson Center think tank said: "The U.S. position has been to stress the process, not the outcome, and to leave the outcome to the two parties. ... I do not think he was trying to articulate new policy."
China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since their split at the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949 and has threatened to invade if the self-ruled democratic island, which it regards as a renegade province, formally declared independence.
In 1979, the United States transferred diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing and it reiterated the U.S. acknowledgment of the Chinese position that there is only one China and that Taiwan is a part of China.
However, the United States made clear it would continue to conduct unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan and, under the Taiwan Relations Act, made provisions to provide the island with items for its defense.
Looks like the groundwork is being laid to exchange Taiwan for North Korea.
Let's hope we get a new Sec. of State with a set of b@lls in the second go round!
This is a very disappointing statement. It may be official US doctrine, but to say it so bluntly sounds like kow-towing to the dictators in Beijing. Taiwan is a democracy. Aren't we supposed to support democracies against dictatorships?
"We want to see both sides not take unilateral action that would prejudice an eventual outcome, a reunification that all parties are seeking," Powell told CNN International, according to a State Department transcript released in Washington....
"Taiwan is not independent. It does not enjoy sovereignty as a nation, and that remains our policy, our firm policy," Powell told Phoenix TV.
Sounds like the outcome is already prejudiced. If Taiwan doesn't want reunification, how can an eventual outcome of reunification be what "all parties are seeking?"
I'm not sure whose side Powell is on, but it sure isn't one I wish to be associated with. I hope Bush cuts him loose after the election. These unfortunate comments he uncorks about once every two months, suck, "BIG TIME".
What a stupid idea, what's next, Norwegian and German reunification? American and British reunification?
Oh, but you must be wrong. Powell is going to be the salvation of our divided nation. Everyone loves him. He and John McCain will save us from ourselves. They represent a new breed of Republican. Please stop it, you are going to make all the liberal Republicans cry.
I think it is the price that was paid to have China only "object" to intervention in NK.
Actually his statement is 100% correct. Taiwan is not sovereign until they say they are. Taiwan has not done this.
Yes, I know. I'll try to do better. lol
Screw Powell and the Reds at the State Department.
Long Live Democratic Taiwan!
Powell is really pissing me off. Yeah, lets support the reunification of a somewhat-free nation (Taiwan) with a repressive regime that tortures Christians and the Falun Gong, commits infanticide and props up Kim Il Jong.
I second Chiang Kai-shek.
Boy, am I glad that he decided NOT to run for President in the past. He probably would have won, as he was extremely popular at the time.
I don't know who he speaks for when he says these kinds of things.
Powell also invited "monitors" from overseas to scrutinize out election. He should join Jimmah Cahtah building houses down in Mexico.
The US is a nation that represses Christians and tortures them incessantly with lawsuits seeking to remove any sign of God from the society, commits infanticide, and props up Kim Jong Il(well Clinton did at least)....
Scary aint it?
I thought Jim Robinson told you he was giving you a 7 day vacation, starting today?
Reagan is rolling over in his grave.
Convergence. What a bunch of BS it is. Utopian dreaming. Naive idiocy.
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