[tallhappy]

So many things...

The generals are crazy, for one. They'll never do it either. They are corrupt powder puffs interested in their harems and bank accounts.

If they did do it they'd ensure immediate Taiwan Independence. Their TTAL plan is stupid.

Bush does not need Beijing's agreement for any Iraq action.

We, the US, need to TTAL, via our President. President Bush don't let us down.

The October meeting is a perfect opportunity to clearly state the nonsensical China policies of the past are over and the ChiComs need to drop it.

[Tax Government]

Taiwan should annex PRC.

[gundog]

... the hawks see Washington's preoccupation with the war on terrorism -- particularly the imminent strike on Iraq -- as a "golden opportunity not to be missed."

This has been in the back of my mind for quite some time; would we be able to defend Taiwan with troops commited in the Middle East? The Clinton legacy rolls on.

[Wm Bach]

Fuel Air bombs for Iraq. Save the nukes for China.

[Dan from Michigan]

What ever happened to the two front war doctrine?

My view - Give Taiwan nukes, then pull out.

[ex-snook]

"Moreover, with U.S. forces deployed in the Persian Gulf, Washington may not be in a position to speedily come to the aid of Taiwan. "

Our 'special relationship entanglements' for war everywhere have become a suicide belt we have strapped around ourselves. Let Taiwan, Israel and the rest of the world fend for themselves. America can't survive, being the world's police dog.

The sun now sets on England as she bled herself to death with world involvement. Build fortress America. If someone attacks us, then smash them. If we have no favorites, we will have no enemies.

[Centurion2000]

Jiang to Give Bush Ultimatum in Texas - Threatens US-China War - Plain sailing in the Taiwan Strait?

BRING IT ON.

[jjm2111]

BTTT - Interesting Article.

When will CNN actually hire writers that can write? "been bone-chillingly disturbing." Isn't this sort of overkill? Don't journalists have to take English courses in college?

[RISU]

If the mainland Chinese are so anxious for "re-unification" why don't they offer to have China ruled by the Taiwanese leaders, so everyone can be "happy"?

Obviously, this is no conflict of idealism, but rather a dead serious game of "which small group will run this whole show".

Taiwan probably has some nukes. I doubt the mainlanders are so hot on this they will risk the loss of a few Regiments.

The only thing that worries me is that the Mainland Chinese "Sunburn" missile can openetrate the Aegis missile defense apparently, so our own Navy could get blistered protecting the Taiwanese.

[Dog Gone]

If I had the same name as this writer, I'd get it changed.

[tet68]

"Taiwan is the internal affair of China -- and nobody else can meddle with us," Zhu reportedly said. "It's like a father beating up an errant son within closed doors."

Don't they have laws against this ? Any way the family analogy is apt , this is the abusive husband wanting to beat up the weak spouse who wants to leave home.
"Another word about leaving and I'll hit you, hell maybe I'll hit you and take your car keys anyway!"

Wrong move, Cadres, do that and some Taiwanese patriot is liable to exterminate half the vermin in your capital with a bio product. Welcome to the new world!

[VaBthang4]

Who in the heck wrote this?!

Willy Lo-Lap lam

What the...

Anyway...this guy doesnt know what he does and doesnt want to say....or how to say it.

Past the rhetoric, this is a nonstarter.

Asserting that the PLA could fire lame rockets across the straights long enough to bring the Taiwanese to the bargaining table?

Oi...

[skeeter]

At Beidaihe, Jiang indicated that all action should be shelved for the moment -- and at least until his summit with President Bush in the latter's Texas ranch around October 25. The president vowed to deliver the equivalent of an ultimatum to Bush: unless Washington makes it clear that it does not support Chen's "splittist plots," the U.S. might one day find itself embroiled in a military conflict that it does not want.

Bush should respond by having the secret service tie Jiang to the back of ol' Bessie & invite the WH staff to take turns wacking her on the behind with a switch.

CNN International could pipe the images into every household in the PRC.

[ASA Vet]

an ultimatum to Bush

Giving an ultimatum to a Texan?
Sure wish I could be there to watch the fun.

[Frohickey]

Here is to hoping that GWB, who has a degree in history, has studied General George S Patton.

"Men, this stuff some sources sling around about America wanting to stay out of the war and not wanting to fight is a lot of baloney! Americans love to fight, traditionally. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. America loves a winner. America will not tolerate a loser. Americans despise a coward; Americans play to win. That's why America has never lost and never will lose a war. " --General George S. Patton, Jr., in characteristic unexpurgated detail, gives his troops a final pep-talk prior to the invasion of Normandy, Enniskillen Manor Grounds, England, May 17, 1944.

[Red Jones]

bump

[Hugin]

The doctrine behind the so-called "teach-them-a-lesson model" or TTLM is partly inspired by the NATO (American) action against Kosovo in 1999: the PLA would launch surgical missile strikes against military, and if necessary, civilian targets on Taiwan island.

Two problems with that scenario; China is not the USA and Taqiwan is not Serbia. My guess is the Chinese would expend their load of missiles and cause a lot of damage to airfields and ports, but fail to knock them out. Any planes attempting to attack Taiwan would be cut to pieces by the ROC airforce. The ROC (Taiwan) has better pilots, better planes and the defenders advantage of being able to stay over their own territory longer compared to the PRC jets that would have to use up much of their fuel to get there.

In short it would be a humilating failure that would ensure Taiwan's independence, cut off their trade surplus with the US, and lead to the collapse of the Chinesse economy. Of course they may just be stupid enough to believe this garbage and do it.

[Bon mots]

The stage is set for WWIII. We have never lasted 60 years without a major catastrophic conflagration. It's time. There will be unexpected consequences. This one may come home.