Posted on 12/01/2006 2:53:59 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe
President George W. Bush's nominee for U.S. defense secretary said the United States must prepare its military to resist if China attacks rival Taiwan.
Robert Gates, a former CIA director chosen by Bush to replace Donald H. Rumsfeld as defense chief, said that although China appears to want a peaceful merger with Taiwan, Beijing is boosting its military force in case of a war with the island.
"We should maintain our capabilities to resist China's use of force or coercion against Taiwan and assist Taipei in maintaining its self-defense," Gates said in testimony submitted Tuesday to the Senate Armed Services Committee, which is to hold a confirmation hearing for Gates next week.
U.S. officials believe China's military buildup is intended to back up threats to attack Taiwan, the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own territory. The two sides split in 1949 amid civil war.
China vows to keep the island from independence by force if necessary. The United States has pledged to provide Taiwan the means to defend itself, and Gates comments echoed U.S. policy.
Gates said that China, as it works toward its goal of becoming Asia's pre-eminent power, is "expanding its political and economic influence in the region and generating options for military coercion."
But China's "near-term focus is on generating sufficient combat power to rapidly erode Taiwan's will to resist and to deter or deny effective intervention in a cross-Strait conflict," Gates said.
The United States and China have recently cooperated on attempts to rid North Korea of nuclear weapons, and Gates praised Beijing for that, as well as for "improved behavior on proliferation" and "increased transparency."
But criticism of China far outweighs praise in Washington. Those complaints include accusations that Beijing curbs its citizens' freedoms, befriends energy-rich countries with questionable human rights records and encourages economic policies that lawmakers say cost American jobs.
Many also demand that China explain a military budget with an average annual growth rate Beijing puts at nearly 16 percent from 1994 to 2004. Chinese officials say they are open about military spending and have increased military exchanges with other countries.
Officials say Gates is likely to assume the Pentagon post before year's end if he is confirmed by the Senate as expected.
Bush announced Rumsfeld's resignation and Gates' nomination on Nov. 8, the day after congressional elections put the Democrats in control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives and in the midst of heavy political pressure to find a way forward in the war in Iraq.
the was shouldn't have been italicized.
Wow. Surprising.
I would have thoght Gates would have said to either negotiate, or even more likely, say that we should just let them have it.
I thought it meant to resist attacking China if they attack Taiwan. Gates also surprized me.
Why do believe it is "shocking"? I think America should defend Taiwan in the event of attack by China.
But, we chose to recognise Beijing, instead of Taipei. Where's the genius in that? We know Beijing wants Formosa - Taiwan, because of the logistical capacity Taiwan provides China for the South China Sea. Beijing is undermining everybody - including us, because that way they can absorb all of our technology.
We are screwing ourselves, and our congress - in its infinite stupidity - has sealed the issue, because of the political and economic interest they have invested.
SS
Follow the money on this....A little work on who's been supporting the Gates family all these years would probably hit paydirt. Same for most of these retreads. Carlye group, you name it. It has America sell out written all over it.
"Uncle Sam wants you" Rangel.
Globalism on the march..
If Taiwan falls, (Bill) Gates loses a lucrative market, a lot of programming talent, and some of his manufacturing base.
There are no permanent alliances. Only permanent interests.
BFLR = Bump for Later Reading
I don't know if that is true, but I will say historically, that the U.s. has stepped up and indicated to China that they will be dealt with IF they decide to interfere with Taiwan's operations in their own country.
SS
Why do believe it is "shocking"? I think America should defend Taiwan in the event of attack by China.
So do most of us. It's shocking that someone who had been in higher levels of government would say so. We aren't used to that.
Ah, pardon me. I understand. Yes, it is good to hear someone say it.
Tell this journalist that Taiwan is a territory of the USA. Taiwan might be sold to China, and probably cheaper than trying to capture it militarily. What's it worth? All the Fed paper in China times 2? Tell the new Pentagon guy, too.
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