Bush says does not support independence for Taiwan -(Bush Shafts Taiwan, mine)

Reuters ^ | 10-26-02

[tallhappy]

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Friday the United States would use its influence to ensure China and Taiwan settle their differences peacefully and promised to make it clear to Taipei that Washington does not support independence.

In a news conference with Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Bush said the United States stood by the "one China" policy, which acknowledges that Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China.

"The 'one China' policy means that the issue ought to be resolved peacefully," Bush said.

"We've got influence with some in the region. We intend to make sure that the issue is resolved peacefully, and that includes making it clear that we do not support independence," Bush added.

Taiwan's president, Chen Shui-bian, has voiced support for a referendum on formal independence from China.

The move outraged Beijing, which views the island as a renegade province and a linchpin in Sino-U.S. relations.

Beijing had hoped Bush would repeat a pledge not to back independence for Taiwan, which China says must eventually be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Nationalists headed by Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong's communists. Washington shifted diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979.

But the United States has offered Taiwan the biggest arms package in a decade and Bush has pledged to do "whatever it takes" to help the democratically governed island protect itself.

Bush did not repeat that pledge at Friday's news conference.

But during a visit to China earlier this year, he said, "When my country makes an agreement, we stick with it, and there is (something) called the Taiwan Relations Act and I honour that act, which says we will help Taiwan defend herself if provoked."

China says it is seriously concerned about the U.S. warming to Taiwan under Bush and has called on Washington to halt military contacts and arms sales to the island.

[tallhappy]

Title is from source.

Title reflects content of the breaking news story.

My subtitle reflects my opinion.

Very bad decision on the President's part.

I have been a huge supporter of his. I now lose a fair amount of respect for him and also confidience in his character and ability to withstand pressure and not act and speak things against his own principles.

Regardless, this will hurt President Bush in the long run. He simply undermines himself by going against his own principles and the Bush doctrine that has been developing.

Say it ain't so, Joe...

[DoughtyOne]

Tallhappy, I've sided with your opinion on this for a long time. I still do, but in recent years I have been dismayed to watch the Taiwanese themselves speak favorably of the one nation two systems theory. Frankly I think that's suicidal, but it's their country.

I don't think they all feel that way, so I'm still in support of a separate sovereign Taiwan. But if I hear much more, I'm going to withdraw my support of a separate Taiwan myself.

Compounding the problem, corporate business abandonment of Taiwan for the the mainland is briske. Taiwan's business climate is suffering from what I've been led to believe.

I think Bush is wrong here. I oppose his views on this. But I think that's the way it's headed. And I think Taiwan will be the ones to undercut our support of them. Course on the other hand, they may see us selling them out and realize it's futal. I just don't know.

[Dave S]

Very bad decision on the President's part.

Where have you been? This was decided more than thirty years ago. We havent recognized Taiwan for decades. The US has had a one China policy since Nixon in the 70's. Our policy is that there is one China and that Taiwan is part of it. That is why Red China is on the Security Council and Taiwan is not even in the UN. In fact, only a handful of countries recognize Taiwan and we are NOT one of them. We oppose forced reunification but we also oppose independence for Taiwan

[Quix]

I share the displeasure with the weak kneed stance.

However, He can say what he wishes more or less as long as he arms them adequately. . . . sounds like he's light years beyond traitor DILLDO and SHRILLERY.

Actually, from the Chinese position--what he said and didn't say would be a tough stance to their sensibilities. They will not go away happy about that. They must have pressured him pretty heavily to back out on giving or selling arms to Taiwan. And he didn't flinch on that one. That's more than most of our recent Presidents have done.

Personally, I think it's foolish for the Taiwanese to hold a referendum given the hyper paranoia and pride of Beijing. A leadership who doesn't flinch at killing their own sons and daughters and grand children in Tienanmen wouldn't flinch over neutron bombing the whole of Taiwan.

Taiwanese think Beijing wouldn't attack because Beijing would want all Taiwan's wealth in tact. Not so. Beijing would totally destroy Taiwan just out of pride. 21,000,000 souls mean little to Beijing compared to their pride, arrogance and greed for power and status.

Retaking Taiwan is a kind of leadership gold ring to capture and justification for a lot of bluster and posturing. But once they bluster and posture--they are very pride bound to back it up. I don't think Taiwan appreciates those facts sufficiently.

[bybybill]

One hundred years from now, there will be a free China and there will be a free Taiwan. Bush did not change a thing and woe on the Commies if the attack Taiwan. Unless they used nukes, they can`t conquer the island. No way, no how.

[Lucas1]

IF this is true...then that is VERY sad and I am disappointed in President Bush....say it isn't so

[Lucas1]

We've got influence with some in the region. We intend to make sure that the issue is resolved peacefully, and that includes making it clear that we do not support independence," Bush added.

Very sad :(

[rednekelmo]

i rember a prediction by sean David Morton on the Bell show claiming that Bush would sell out to the Chinese worse than Clnton ever managed to.I don't claim to know the future but it looks like Bush may try to make that prediction come true.But then what are allies for if not to sell out to people who want to destroy eveything the US stands for to gain some short term good will.

[MJY1288]

There is nothing new in GWB's position on this matter, he has always said that he agreed with the "One China" policy but that China a Taiwan should work out their differences peacefully. To me this is the usual Reuters spin.

When ever a foriegn leader visits this country, Reuters and AP do their best to undermine this administration, all the while supporting every cowardly position Bill Clinton ever announced. This is pure garbage coming from the leftist over at Reuters.

[Always Right]

I am disappointed that you did not understand this is the status quo. Good or bad, this is our stated policy, but it does not affect our behavior. It is just a bunch of diplomatic BS.

[BlackbirdSST]

Unless they used nukes, they can`t conquer the island. No way, no how.I don't really have a dog in this fight, meaning I really haven't an informed opinion on the one China policy, but I would be willing to wager that if China wanted Taiwan, they could have it intact within 72-96 hours.Too much time has passed, and China has made sure enough of "it's kind" have infiltrated, and Taiwan will fall from within. JMO...Blackbird.

[SR71A]

i rember a prediction by sean David Morton on the Bell show claiming that Bush would sell out to the Chinese worse than Clnton ever managed to

The business community in this country has been after the "massive" China market for nearly 200 years, along with the super cheap Chinese labor force. The self-determination and liberty of 22 million on Taiwan mean absolutely nothing to them in comparison. Corporate interests trumps liberty for the Taiwanese in this situation. Our trade deficit is going to pay for the invasion.

[Lion's Cub]

This was decided more than thirty years ago. We havent recognized Taiwan for decades. The US has had a one China policy since Nixon in the 70's

That doesn't mean we have to continue a very bad policy. Smart people correct their mistakes.

Bush is looking more and more like an opportunist instead of a man of principle. It shouldn't surprise me, though. He won't even protect our own borders.

[BillCompton]

This is not a "sell-out" by Bush! Nixon. One China. Ford. One China. Carter. One Chine. Reagan. One China. Bush. One China. Bubba. One China. Bush. One China. Do you dim wits see a pattern here? What Bush did do as one of his first International pronouncements is that he would defend Taiwan. He later "clarified" it to be more diplomatic, but the message was clear to China. What other evidence do you people have that he has "sold-out"? Where did he say he would not defend Taiwan from China?

[BillCompton]

That doesn't mean we have to continue a very bad policy. Smart people correct their mistakes.

Can you name any responsible people in any position of power who supports your position? It would likely precipitate a war with a nuclear power. Brilliant. Do you realize that Taiwan itself has not declared its independance from China? "Smart people" hopefully do a little more homework before they make decisions.

[Edmund Burke]

Why doesn't Bush call for free elections in China? Every time he discusses China, he should call for free elections.

[Lion's Cub]

So now we cower beneath anyone with a nuclear weapon, huh? Don't grovel on my behalf.

[BillCompton]

The business community in this country has been after the "massive" China market for nearly 200 years, along with the super cheap Chinese labor force. The self-determination and liberty of 22 million on Taiwan mean absolutely nothing to them in comparison. Corporate interests trumps liberty for the Taiwanese in this situation. Our trade deficit is going to pay for the invasion.

This is a false argument. The U.S. can and does have access to both markets. And as for our willingness to throw Taiwan to the tigers, Taiwan represents the single most productive (economically) place on earth. I just don't understand the cynicism. Yes China wants to Re-unify. They have never had any other position. They also have not acted militarily to take back Taiwan, probably because they didn't have the capacity, but maybe because they are patient enough accomplish it politically like they did with Hong Kong. The American policy is the correct one.

[ffrancone]

China's lust for Taiwan has nothing to do with pride and everything to do with strategic control of the Western Pacific Ocean.

[karlamayne]

Come to think of it, I haven't seen as many "Made in Taiwan" articles on the store shelves as in years gone by.

As to their fate, does Taiwan have any oil?