Posted on 03/07/2007 5:07:38 AM PST by zook
Washington called President Chen Shui-bian's pledge to push for independence "unhelpful" Monday and reiterated its stance against independence for the island Beijing regards as a renegade province.
"As it is well-established, the U.S. does not support independence for Taiwan," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
"President (George W.) Bush has repeatedly underscored his opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo by either Taipei or Beijing because this threatens regional peace and stability, U.S. national interests and Taiwan's own welfare," McCormack said.
He reminded that Chen had pledged in his 2000 and 2004 inaugurations to not declare independence, change the island state's name, or advocate other sovereignty themes.
"President Chen's fulfillment of his commitments is a test of leadership, dependability and statesmanship and of his ability to protect Taiwan's interests, its relations with others and to maintain peace and stability in the Strait," McCormack said.
"Rhetoric that could raise doubts about these commitments is unhelpful."
On Sunday Chen told a group of Taiwan independence advocates that "Taiwan wants independence, Taiwan wants to change its name, Taiwan wants a new constitution, Taiwan wants development."
Such rhetoric in the past has angered Beijing, and raised concerns in the United States, which has pledged to protect Taiwan from Chinese military aggression.
DPP needs to carefully consider the meaning of these words.
Freedom is on the march.
Taiwan IS independent. And I HATE the media for repeating that evil "renegade province" phrase. Taiwan is an independent vibrant democracy, and has been for decades. China is going to attack and kill those people while the left applauds.
Alternate title:
"Bush Doctrine Ends With a Whimper"
Taiwan has de facto independence right now, but is still recognized (by the world and by a large percentage of its citizens) as "part of China."
The ideal situation would be for an eventual reunification of Taiwan and the mainland under conditions that would allow political and economic freedom to continue to grow in both places.
The actions of Chen and the DPP not only destroy chances for that to happen, but also greatly increase the chances of war. It's reckless brinkmanship aimed at forcing the US to get involved.
But I do not believe that the US will defend Taiwan militarily if independence is formally declared, nor would I want us to.
The Bush "doctrine" has always been that Taiwan is part of China and that neither country should act recklessly. Right now, it is Chen and the DPP who are doing so.
They have a right to be free of Chinese Communist control.
The mainland may be prosperous, but it is a filthy dictatorship.
Too many people including our own government put money ahead of principle.
Chen has political problems of his own from what I understand, but I know the mainland will use any means to take control of Taiwan. That stinks.
If Chen wants to stand up to them, more power to him.
We don't need apologists for communism (with free market economics or not).
China=Castro with prosperity.
I agree. Us defending Taiwan militarily would be the height of stupidity, especially now.
Have you been to China recently? I have. The government may be authoritarian, even dictatorial in many ways, but the amount of political and economic freedom enjoyed by people there is, relatively speaking, amazing to see.
I mean, there are a billion people in China. It's unrealistic to imagine that it will turn into some kind of democratic wonderland overnight.
The KMT party in Taiwan is staunchly opposed to independence. Their likelihood of victory in the next national election is fairly high.
ping for future.
That "doctrine" has been around since Nixon.
I had to follow up on your comment that:
"China=Castro with prosperity."
Chinese citizens are free to leave the country at will. Chinese newsstands and book stores carry publications like USA Today, The Economist, even the Bible. MSNBC and CNN are carried on some cable TV outlets.
Yes, I know that all of these (except the Bible, I believe) are occasionally censored. I realize that web sites (such as FR) are unavailable. But China is nothing like Cuba anymore.
That stated, it does seem less and less probable that the United States will come militarily to Taiwan's defense if the PRC attempts to take over the ROC by force.
The PRC has a long way to go before it can be considered politically and socially free (after the fashion of the United States and many countries in the West).
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
But see my posts 9 and 12.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
He forgot to mention the other half of the pledge which was provided China did not threaten the use of force to take over the island. When the Chinese passed that resolution a few years ago, they did just that.
To me, it looks like Chen has engaged in more brinkmanship behavior over TI than the mainland has done over reunification.
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