Posted on 10/26/2002 12:37:58 AM PDT by 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.
People of this ilk will dump Taiwan in a flash.
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That say it all. This build-up is not to be used for domestic purposes or peaceful international purposes.
The problem is, when Bush issues statements such as this it is momentary pap to placate conservatives rather than a consistent ideology and policy. On alternate days Bush's statements can be quoted to assert he holds any position.
I don't discount the strategic importance, but "neutralization", whatever's meant by that, is likely gong to take more than proximity to "preferred" shipping lanes. Without more evidence of that as a motivation, I don’t find your argument convincing. Nations have invested a more for less strategic ambitions, including our own.
"The 'one China' policy means that the issue ought to be resolved peacefully," Bush said.
Who said Dubya is a conservative?
At least, every time that he shows his moderate colors like this, a few more conservatives wake up and smell the moderate odor coming from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I doubt that it will be enough to get a real conservative nominated by the GOP in two years. But, who knows. If he keeps making these types of statements, it might just happen.
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China's imperialism is temporarily held in check by its geographical position. To the north lies Siberia. A military move into Siberia would result in 20,000,000 Chinese popsicles come winter when their supply lines were cut. To the Northwest lies the Gobi desert. A military move into there would mean catastrophe. To the West lies India, the only country in the world that can match China's population. Everything else is water. Militarily, China needs to build over-water mobility and reach with a navy, air force, and missiles that can be used to nuclear blackmail any opposition.
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It's not a matter of "bothering" to fight. It's a matter of military vulnerability. You have a group of people in a small area facing overwhelming numbers who can be wiped out very easily with the aid of mocern technology.
Bush is selling out for $$$. I wonder which dicatator he's going to invite to his ranch next. Maybe invite Mugabe or Castro into his ranch for barbecue next weekend?
I don't keep abreast this any longer. Last time I checked, they were so far off that it wasn't anything more than a dream of those who don't know better. We don't have to get our a/c carriers in range of their coast to defend Taiwan with our Naval a/c. If they attack our Navy with their Navy, they'll completely lose theirs, even if it's 10 times its present size. So we'll likely own the air around Taiwan, not to mention our subs disrupting the seas. Even if China had the equipment, that's less than half the battle. China has zero experience at an operation this size, and next to zero chance of getting it right on first try.
China's ambitions toward Taiwan is something we need to be prepared for and continue to counter wo that they can't intimidate Taiwan into submission, not something we need to be fearful of occurring while we're not looking.
"The war on terror (ie war on Saddam)" has become a catchall excuse with which to ignore the very real crisis which are soon to be unleashed.
Taiwan does not have to declare Independence. Taiwan is independent.
When we say we support only a peaceful resolution to the conflict, we mean that we support Taiwan's de facto independence. To directly confront the PRC's delusions is not the way to resolve the conflict peacefully.
Only Taiwan's own appeasers can give up her independence. The United Nations will never protect Taiwan's sovereignty. Only the United States can.
I have long loved Taiwan and their courageous stand against the evil communists. I have only been on FR since 4/2001. If I had been on Fr when klintoon was prez, I would have been saying the same thing.
It's a shame klintoon's and Bush's policy towards Taiwan is similar. It demonstrates that that is a policy which is above presidents.
Agreed. Unless the chicoms are better swimmers than we realize. :-)
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