Posted on 05/02/2006 10:52:38 PM PDT by tallhappy
US decides on transit plan: source
BUSH APPROVAL: Chen Shui-bian will not be allowed to land in the continental US nor stay overnight, officials said, adding that the US president had made the decision
By Charles Snyder and Nadia Tsao
STAFF REPORTERS IN WASHINGTON
Wednesday, May 03, 2006,Page 3
A US source said yesterday that US President George W. Bush will allow President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to transit through the US on his way to and from Latin America. Bush authorized Chen to stop in Honolulu, Hawaii, on his way to Latin America, and in Anchorage, Alaska, on his return flight.
However, Chen is only allowed to rest and refuel, and is not permitted to stay overnight in either city. The decision, which was proposed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, was made by Bush himself, US and Taiwanese diplomatic sources said.
Chen is scheduled to depart Taipei today for Paraguay. He will later visit Costa Rica for the inauguration of president-elect Oscar Arias before returning to Taipei May 11.
The Chen administration is also understood to be shocked and displeased with Bush's reponse to its request, and has called for more negotiations on the matter.
The US source said that the US Department of State and National Security Council presented Bush with a number of recommendations, and that the stopover itinerary that Bush ultimately decided on was the simplest among them.
Meanwhile, a state department official confirmed that the US would allow Chen to make transit stops, but would not provide specifics.
Close relations
"In keeping with our close and cooperative informal relations with Taiwan and our intent to work productively with President Chen Shui-bian in the years ahead, the United States is prepared to facilitate transits for Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian on his way to and from Paraguay and Costa Rica," the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
He said that the request was approved on the basis of the safety, comfort and convenience of Chen, "while respecting the dignity of the traveler."
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister James Huang (黃志芳) yesterday ascribed the US' slowness in responding to Taiwan's request for Chen's stop-overs to Washington's preoccupation with Iran's nuclear program, with which the US needs China's support for a hardline approach towards Iran.
Huang said the procrastination was also due to the recent visit to the US by Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤).
Taiwan filed the stopover requests with US officials April 21.
"The US-Taiwan negotiations over the transit stops were greatly affected by Hu's visit to the US, which had squeezed out the working time for both Taiwan and the US authorities over the matter," Huang said.
Chen had reportedly wanted to stop in New York City on his return trip next week.
Chen has not visited the East Coast of the US since September 2003, when he traveled to New York to receive a human rights award and made several public statements despite the vehement objections of China.
During that trip, his activities reportedly annoyed the Bush administration, which was then trying to improve relations with Beijing, after the then-chairwoman of the American Institute in Taiwan, Therese Shaheen, declared that Bush was "the guardian angel" of Chen's trip.
Restricted
In his first -- and only other -- trip to New York as president in 2001, Chen was more restricted, not being allowed to make any public statements, although he did give a speech to a large group of congress members, who chartered a military flight to travel from Washington to have dinner with him.
Since those two New York stopovers, Chen has been limited to West Coast and Southwest cities, including Houston, the home of the then-House majority leader Tom DeLay, a prominent supporter of Taiwan.
Additional reporting by Chang Yun-ping
>>>This is a disgrace!
>>>A total sellout of freedom loving people!
I agree with your intent but there's more here than meets the eye. The President of Taiwan would take advantage of his stop over to call names to mainland China and try to start a fight. They have done this consistently. So they have to be moderated and nothing inflames the mainland Chinese as a trip by the leaders of Taiwan to the US.
Also, Taiwan itself is split on the issue of reunification with mainland China -- yet we send over sophisticated military hardware to a country that will most likely capitulate to the mainland after the first 15 minutes of battle.
Be careful what you wish for. We are not in the 1950s and these people are not Chang Kai Shek (spelling?) look alikes.
Nixon started the US Goverments' One China policy. True or False?
Ok, he got the ball rolling. But I believe Carter did the formal deed. Prior to that, did Nixon or Ford announce our intention to end formal ROC recognition? Perhaps what you mean is that by the time Carter did this it was a fait accompli? (sorry if I spelled that wrong).
Absolutely true. What's your point? I have a feeling you don't understand what the policy means. We are for the eventual, peaceful reunification of China under a democratic government.
Demican or republicrat. Pick your poison in the next election.
It is now clear that China and Mexico are running the US federal government. Bush might as well retire now.
Absolutely true.
Thank you, mrs tiggywinkle has been telling me Carter (spit) started it.
OK, re Chicom, I happen to believe that the Chicom wish to rule the world, certainly they want the pacific Rim. It is their stated goal (and I believe them) to take Tiawan my force if neccessay and to destoy any US forces that might attempt to assist Tiawan. I think Tiawan is the linch pin in the Pacific, should it fall to the Chicoms other nations will be forced to realize that the balance of power has shifted away from the usa towards the Chicoms. The usa will lose markets, hases, inteligence and influence setting the stage for a Chicom takeover of Japan. All of this started with Nixon. Jimmy (spit) was an out and out traitor and should be tried and hung.
Thats the essence of diplomacy - each side can interpret as it pleases.
geopolitical realities that our government created. China should never have been given most favored trade status.
Tin foil hat time.
Er, which planet did you say you were from?
It was given in 1979 and renewed annually ever since then, including by the Reagan administration.
Earth and you?
Please see link in post 156.
The intricacies of this situation are way out of your league. Only simpletons suggest simple solutions to complex problems.
NOT TRUE. I've been consistently pointing you to the link and info from the link.
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