→ aurelius:沒用warning 算不錯的 推 140.112.19.47 04/22
※ 編輯: thestrait 來自: 24.250.233.38 (04/22 17:46)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32750-2004Apr21.html
Washington Post:
U.S. Cautions Taiwan on Independence
--President Is Warned Not to Provoke China
By Glenn Kessler
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 22, 2004; Page A22
The Bush administration, in its first broad response to vows by Taiwan's
recently reelected president to craft a constitution, warned Taiwan yesterday
that unilateral moves toward independence could prompt a Chinese military
response "that could destroy much of what Taiwan has built and crush its hopes
for the future."
Assistant Secretary of State James A. Kelly said in congressional testimony
that such military action by China would be "a dangerous, objectionable and
foolish response." But he said, "While we strongly disagree with [China's]
approach . . . it would be irresponsible of us and of Taiwan's leaders to
treat these statements as empty threats."
Kelly's lengthy statement, which had been approved by Bush's senior foreign
policy advisers, was a stern signal to Taiwan's leadership, especially after
President Chen Shui-bian's razor-thin victory last month, to back off from its
aggressive stance on independence, particularly in light of the rapid military
buildup by China on the other side of the Taiwan straits. It also represented
a further evolution in the administration's once pro-Taiwan stance.
"I see his statement as a pretty significant first draft of the
administration's rethinking of its Taiwan policy," said John J. Tkacik Jr., a
China specialist at the Heritage Foundation.
The administration originally was deeply skeptical of Chinese intentions. But
since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, relations with the Beijing government have
improved because of China's assistance on counterterrorism, especially in
intelligence sharing, and its growing importance in trying to resolve the
North Korean nuclear crisis.
In a recent interview with The Washington Post, Chen said his narrow victory
had given him a mandate to press ahead with his plans to develop Taiwan as an
"independent, sovereign country." A senior Chinese official later condemned
Chen's remarks as a provocation and said it was clear that Chen's plans to
write a new constitution for the island by 2006 was "virtually a timetable for
Taiwan independence" -- a red line that China says would prompt military
action.
In large part, the administration appears to be trying to tell the Taiwanese
that moves toward independence will not bring worthwhile benefits -- while at
the same time telling China that mere declarations will not change Taiwan's
status in the world and are not worthy of war. An administration official,
speaking on the condition of anonymity , said officials felt it necessary to
show broad support for Taiwan's thriving democracy but Chen needed to be told
that he should not overreach.
"A unilateral move towards independence will avail Taiwan of nothing it does
not already enjoy in terms of democratic freedom, autonomy, prosperity and
security," Kelly said. "We look to President Chen to exercise the kind of
responsible, democratic and restrained leadership that will be necessary to
ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for Taiwan."
But in remarks broadcast on Taiwanese television Wednesday, Chen said
Beijing's "one China" policy -- which declares that Taiwan is part of China --
is a "political myth" and "the Chinese Communist regime is a traditional
autocratic empire that will definitely die one day." He said he would not be
deterred from putting a constitution to a vote in 2006.
In a debate over diplomatic nuance, some U.S. officials had sought to put the
administration on record as "opposing" Taiwan independence. But in the end,
the administration settled on restating its position that the U.S. "does not
support independence."
The Taiwan issue figured prominently in Vice President Cheney's discussions
last week with Chinese leaders in Beijing. Cheney told the Chinese that any
efforts by Beijing to thwart democracy in Hong Kong would be likely to
reinforce the budding movement in Taiwan to formally separate from China.
China has deployed an estimated 500 short-range ballistic missiles across the
strait that separates Taiwan from the mainland. The Bush administration has
cited the Chinese missiles as a reason for selling radar and military
equipment to Taiwan, pointing out that the U.S. government is legally
obligated to assist in the island's defense. Cheney rejected Chinese
complaints that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan were destabilizing, making it clear
that the administration believes the sales were a direct consequence of
China's missile buildup aimed at Taiwan.
China's buildup and its threat to use force "are uncomfortable realities, yet
they are facts with which we must grapple," Kelly told lawmakers. "As Taiwan
proceeds with efforts to deepen democracy, we will speak clearly and bluntly
if we feel as though those efforts carry the potential to adversely impact
U.S. security interests or have the potential to undermine Taiwan's own
security."
Peter W. Rodman, assistant secretary of defense, who appeared with Kelly, said
China also faces a choice. "We all know that China is an emerging economic
powerhouse, and its economic power is enabling it to accelerate a military
modernization that is certainly threatening to Taiwan," Rodman said, adding
China must decide whether it will resort to diplomacy or force to settle
problems.
© 2004 The Washington Post Company
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