A shadow of war over Taiwan

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | 12 March 2005 | Sam Crane

[tallhappy]

Are you Ted Galen Carpenter?

I asked you.

You are not accurately presenting either Taiwan's arms purchases over the years, nor the current attempts at finalizing the arms package offered by the adminsitration, including your serious distortion concerning the submarine manufacturing question.

Perhaps you are not being dishonest and I was remiss to state that. You very well may simply not be aware of the specifics and details of the multiple aspects of the proposed submarine deal.

[panzer_grey]

LOL, No I am not Ted Galen Carpenter. But, it is a fair representation of Taiwan's arms purchases the last decade. The arms deal has been on the table for almost 4 years. I do not believe that the Taiwanese are taking the threat from the PRC seriously. Or perhaps they expect the U.S. to spill its blood and treasure for them without them raising a finger. Not trying to be smart-alek, but please tell us about the specifics and details of the multiple aspects of the proposed submarine deal.

[tallhappy]

Question one: Is the US currently able to manuafacture and supply the proffered submarines?

[tallhappy]

But, it is a fair representation of Taiwan's arms purchases the last decade.

There has been a lot of them. Taiwan is one of, if not the, top arms buyer from the US.

As such your earlier comments were unfair and inaccurate regarding Taiwan providing for its defense.

[panzer_grey]

As for your first question, I believe that the U.S. firms that have stated that they have the capability to build the subs, are indeed telling the truth. If you don't believe them, fine lets agree to disagree. Also read the Haaretz article below.

As for ... "Taiwan is one of, if not the, top arms buyer from the US" it does not appear so from this database:

http://www.fas.org/asmp/resources/govern/CRS-32689.pdf

See page CRS-4, Leading Purchasers of U.S. Defense Articles and Sevices, etc" Taiwan is #5 years 1996-99, out of the Top 10, 2000-03, and appears in 10th place in 2003 (last year data available). CRS-7, which charts deliveries, Taiwan appears much better, but remember that's deliveries which lag sales by as much as 5-10 years. At least to me, there's no 'fire in their belly' to defend themselves.



You might want to read this again:
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=191763&contrassID=2&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y

[tallhappy]

I believe that the U.S. firms that have stated that they have the capability to build the subs

You are not familiar with this issue at all, are you?

[panzer_grey]

Like I said, if you say they are lying, then fine. If that's what you WANT to believe, then by all means believe it. I have bent over backwards finding legit sources for you and rocks accusations. Now YOU PROVE that GD, Raytheon, Lockheed, and Northrop are all lying. Its up to you. I doubt it really matters because the Taiwanese don't seem to care enough to buy them. Its taken them FOUR years to get around to even voting on it.