U.S. House votes to boost military ties with Taiwan

Updated 3:54 PM ET February 1, 2000
By Christopher Wilson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a move likely to further complicate relations with China, the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved legislation to boost America's military ties with Taiwan.

The bill, called the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, was approved in a bipartisan vote of 341-70 despite opposition by the Clinton Administration, which is concerned it could upset U.S.-Sino ties ahead of critical congressional vote on a landmark trade agreement with China.

The legislation provides for direct military communications to be established between Washington and Taipei and directs the U.S, military to expand its training of Taiwanese officers.

China, which views Taiwan as a renegade province and has threatened to invade the island if it tries to declare independence, had urged Congress to reject the legislation, warning that it could heighten tension in the region and set back bilateral relations with Washington.

The Republican-led House, which includes many staunch Taiwan supporters, brushed aside such concerns. v "A failure to meet Taiwan's legitimate defensive needs will make China's military dominance of the Taiwan Strait a reality and could encourage Beijing to seek a military solution to the Taiwan question," said Republican Rep. Benjamin Gilman of New York, chairman of the House International Relations Committee.

"The Congress must act to make clear to Beijing that our nation will continue its long-standing commitment of a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan issue."

Rep. Tom DeLay of Texas, the powerful House Republican whip who originally sponsored the bill, was even more plain.

"At the dawn of a new century the world must be reassured that the U.S. will continue to stick by its friends," he said.

"A clear message was sent when China fired missile tests off the coast of Taiwan in 1995 and 1996. Since then a massive Chinese missile and military logistical buildup across the Taiwan Straits has served as a constant threat. Waiting for the next shoe to fall would be a very costly mistake."

The bill must be reconciled with a similar measure in the Senate and any resulting compromise could face a veto by President Clinton. However, the bill has enough support in the House to override a presidential veto.

"I hope the president will veto," said Rep. Tom Lantos, a California Democrat. "It is nonsensical to bring into our complex relationship with China yet another divisive matter, the only consequence of which is to diminish the security of Taiwan -- the exact opposite that the crafters of this legislation intend."

Despite 141 votes for the bill by Democrats and a few votes against by Republicans, Congress has clearly been concerned about the signal the new measure will send to China.

Analysts say Taiwan's supporters in Congress want to link passage of the Taiwan security act to Clinton's landmark trade agreement with China. The trade accord, announced in November 1999, calls on Beijing to open a wide range of markets, from agriculture to telecommunications.

In exchange for China opening its markets, Clinton must persuade Congress to grant Beijing favorable access to U.S. markets -- so-called permanent normal trade relations (NTR) status -- which would guarantee Chinese goods low-tariff access to U.S. markets like products from nearly every other nation.

"I ask all our members to support both security for Taiwan and more trade with the Chinese people," said House Republican Leader Dick Armey of Texas. "Having this vote today actually improves our ability to get the votes out on China trade later on because members will have already made their points about Taiwan."

The Taiwan bill approved on Tuesday was significantly diluted from a more potent measure originally proposed.

Even so, the legislation does require the president to report to Congress annually on Taiwan's defense requests, making it more difficult for the administration to limit arms sales to the country.

"While I know the intention of this legislation is to ease tensions and lessen ambiguity, I believe it will have the exact opposite effect," said Rep. Matt Salmon of Arizona, one of the Republicans who opposed the measure.

An original bill in the House, watered down at the committee stage, proposed supplying Taiwan with advanced air and sea-based weapons, including missile defense systems, diesel submarines and sophisticated satellite technology.



-- Possible Impact (posim@hotmail.com), February 01, 2000

Answers

--YES! NEVER show weakness, never back down to those guys! Now, if we can get this traitorus technology transfer to mainland china stopped, and get their "student" and "businessmen" spies sent packing, we'll be much better off...which means that king klutz will no doubt veto it.....

-- zog (zzoggy@yahoo.com), February 01, 2000.

For those forum members who do not follow e-security: It is interesting to review alerts regarding e-attacks from mainland China against Taiwan and Formosa (and recently Japan). Now consider e terrorism in the economic paradigm,especially the consumption by US of Oriental exports.The Market experts would have much to contribute here. Warfare is no longer a simple game. Why would we NOT enhance security? Healthy territorial functioning does not imply imperialism- it indicates an awareness of the inter-reliance of all contributors.

-- charlie in houston (cml@workmail.com), February 01, 2000.

The Taiwan Relations Act made us partners with Taiwan. Here is a related article:

Link to the Taiwan Security Organization

Pentagon Reaffirms Commitment to Taiwan

Central News Agency (Taipei), Nov. 3, 1998

Washington, Nov. 3 (CNA) The US Department of Defense reaffirmed on Tuesday that the Clinton administration remains firmly committed to fulfilling the security and arms transfer provisions of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).

"We will continue to assist Taiwan in meeting its legitimate defense needs in accordance with the TRA and the 1982 Joint Communique with the PRC," the Pentagon said in a news statement.

The TRA is a US law regulating relations with Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. It requires the United States to furnish Taiwan with defensive weapons and military equipment necessary to ensure the island's security.

"Consistent with our obligations under the TRA, we regularly consult with Taiwan on its defense requirements," the Pentagon statement said. "As part of these consultations, we have briefed Taiwan, as we have (briefed) many other friends, on the concept of theater missile defense (TMD)." The Pentagon made the remarks in response to media inquiries about its position on providing Taiwan with TMD information as mandated by the recent congressional spending bill.

The Defense Department said Taiwan authorities are currently addressing their own capabilities and needs. "At this point, their interest in TMD appears to be primarily informational." Noting that the United States has a one-China policy based on the three US-PRC joint communiques, the Pentagon said the United States will continue to maintain strong, unofficial relations with Taiwan consistent with its one-China policy.

"In keeping with the unofficial relationship, we do not have a defense treaty with Taiwan. But, we are committed to fulfilling the provisions of the Taiwan Relations Act," the Pentagon stressed.

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), February 02, 2000.