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.

[ArneFufkin]

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."

Your what hurts?

Tallhappy. Another loyal, supportive GOP stalwart falls away. It's beyond painful to watch.

[tallhappy]

Can you name any responsible people in any position of power who supports your position?

People in Bush's own administration for example.

People from Bush1's administration, for example.

But the silly argument from authority is weak and beside the point.

I sense you are circling the wagons.

This is a massive blunder on the part of President Bush and I hope it does not hurt his ability to fight the war.

Also he needs to correct or address this mistake.

[BillCompton]

The PRC is using capitalism to sustain its communist party leadership and to make advances in its military. Hong Kong has become a cash cow to Beijing. Taiwan is a competitor to HK. Therefore the PRC regime wants Taiwan under control or eliminated now.

You act like economics is a zero-sum game. The fact is that Honk Kong would be hurt by the "elimination" of Taiwan, as would all other countries. Basic capitalistic fact.

[tallhappy]

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

Exactly.

President Bush has undercut his own doctrines in this visit and in his statement.

[Mamzelle]

BTW--what kind of help is Taiwan offering the US in our struggle with the Islamists?

[BillCompton]

Thirty years of wrong policy doesn't make it right.

Once again, the USA, drunk with the influence of communism, stabs one of its best friends in the back.

You don't really follow this stuff too closely, do you?

[tallhappy]

In the early seventies, the President of the United States signed an agreement with China stating that Taiwan and China were part of the same country.

Wrong. Your comments were ill informed.

Read the document. It is called, as apparently you don't know, the Shanghai Communique.

Also read the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six assurances to Taiwan.

[tallhappy]

Goodbye Taiwan, hello Formosa.

Most informed response I've seen here.

Does Bush know what he has done?

[Jonathon Spectre]

"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.

>speechless<

[SunTzuWu]

Hey! One fight at a time. We have OBL, Saddam, and NK on the plate at the moment. Now you want GW to take on China as well? You need to pick your battles a little more carefully. Some are worth fighting now, others are best fought later. China's political system is incompatable with a free market economy. China and Tiwan will unify, after China follows Tiwan's political example.

[ArneFufkin]

The story here is that the leader of the PRC was a guest of our President at his Texas home. Bush is winning a UN Security Council nod. The Chinese have large investments and major unpaid accounts with Iraq right now ... they have a vital interest in protecting their interests in that post-Hussein country. So, the Chinese come out and get a propaganda opp that they're negotiating hard and successfully with the Americans, that "One China" is still a demand America recognizes. Pfffft .....

[SunTzuWu]

Tiwan=Taiwan

[tallhappy]

He said nothing new yesterday.

Untrue.

Why the wagon circling?

[tallhappy]

You nailed it....same diplo-speak the last several presidents have issued.

Not true.

A US President has never made this statement.

Closest was Bill Clinton in 1998.

[BillCompton]

People in Bush's own administration for example.

People from Bush1's administration, for example.

Who? Who supports recognition of Taiwan? This is just not true. I understand your point of "argument from authority", but anyone who wants to recognize Taiwan, short of very provocative Chinese aggression somewhere, just doesn't understand the Chinese. This is right up there with bombing Mecca. Just not a good idea.

[tallhappy]

Bush needs China's support on the Iraq resolution.

We need the UN to let us do anything?

Bush himself gave a speech saying we would do it no matter if the UN were with us or not.

Are you saying that was not true?

[tsomer]

There are two kinds of power in China, business and government.

Though I am by no means an expert, I would question this. It seems to me that capitalist development is steered by the Chinese government, so much so that you can consider industry a branch or extension of government-- like the advertisements on PBS here in the US. This "experiment" with capitalism never intended to be an end in-and-of itself, merely the means to getting something else: more revenue for more government.

The Chinese are deeply nationalistic. That characteristic seems to trump all others where this is concerned.

For the last 10 years free marketers have blithely insisted that Macdonalds, Starbucks and Coca-cola will overcome, seduce if you will, communist resistance. They might have underestimated big brother.

My two cents.

[TLBSHOW]

or is this just reuters spin as normal? I want truth on this story from someone besides reuters.

[Silverdrake]

They are not, at least have not been, imperialistic and we don't want them to be.

[Boggle!] Tell that to Tibet!!!!

[sit-rep]

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.

WHAT THE F%^& IS THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boy, I'm tellin' ya what...this country is surely 100% FUBAR!!!

Since when does the U.S. not support Independence? Let me read now the pearls of wisdom down this thread...I'm sure to be enlightened...

SR