|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Snubs Taiwan at China's Demand August 17, 2000 Chen Shui-Bian, the president of Taiwan, stopped overnight in Los Angeles on August 13 on his way to Central America. The airplane carrying Chen, the newly elected leader of one of Asia's most vibrant democracies, parked near the Air Force One that flew President Bill Clinton in for the Democratic National Convention. However, Chen stayed far away from Clinton and other U.S. politicians gathered for the convention. In deference to the government of Communist China, which considers Taiwan not a success story but a renegade province, the Clinton administration did everything it could to keep Chen under wraps while he paused en route to the Caribbean and Central America. Ever since President Jimmy Carter abandoned President Nixon's "two-China policy" and de-recognized Taiwan more than two decades ago, the United States has observed an informal ban on high-level official visits from Taiwan. The Communist Chinese government claims that any U.S.-Taiwan contact constitutes "interference in China's internal affairs." Thus, China saw the mere granting of a U.S. transit visa to Chen as an affront, especially since Chen has, in the past, spoken more favorably of Taiwan independence than any previous president of the island. To China, Chen's brief stopover was a potential repetition of the four-day visit to the United States in 1995 by Chen's predecessor, Lee Teng-hui, who wanted to visit his alma mater, Cornell University. That visit, permitted by the Clinton administration at the insistence of Congress, prompted China to recall its ambassador to the United States and stage military exercises near Taiwan. Apparently fearing another such confrontation, the Clinton administration made it clear to the Chinese that Chen's transit visa was strictly for his "safety, convenience and comfort." The State Department barred any official contact with Chen but approved his brief stopover en route to some of the 29 Caribbean, Central American and African countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. But China howled anew when it was announced that Chen planned to go to a private, unofficial reception in the Los Angeles home of a former aide to Rep. Sam Gejdenson (D-Conn.), to which Gejdenson and four other members of Congress were also invited. Gejdenson, the top Democrat on the House International Relations Committee, complained that pressure from the Clinton administration forced Chen to "refrain from meeting with Congress during his visit." Buckling to Chinese pressure, the Clinton administration urged Chen, the guest of honor not to attend. Chen, who has himself bent over backward not to provoke China since being elected last March, got the message and asked his hosts to call off the reception. Instead, he had dinner in his hotel, where Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), alone among the invitees to the canceled reception, dropped by to express support. Rohrabacher says he considers the Taiwan leader a personal friend. "Let me stress that it was a personal meeting between friends and not an official meeting," Rohrabacher said. "It wasn't a heavy political discussion. I thought it really important that I pay respects to him on my home turf." Rohrabacher, a longtime China critic, said he told Chen a lot of Americans support Taiwan "and he should be strong in his decision-making." Earlier, Rohrabacher had said, "It is a pretty sad day when we have a democratically elected president in town, even if only in transit, who has been cut off from talking to elected officials here in order to prevent gangsters in a dictatorship from getting mad at us." China's communist government wants President Chen Shui-bian to acknowledge that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China that will eventually reunify with the mainland. But on August 17, in a news conference in the Dominican Republic, Chen made it clear that eventual reunification was not inevitable and that the future of Taiwan would have to be decided by the Taiwanese people. "Will reunification be the only and last alternative? I think this is something up for discussion," Chen said at the news conference, which was aired live on Taiwanese television. "If we make it (reunification) the only option, will this still be a democracy?" he asked. Chen, once a vocal supporter Taiwan independence, has taken a more conciliatory stance toward China since taking office. He has said he will not declare a formal break unless China attacks. But he has refused to commit to reunification. China and Taiwan split during the communist takeover of China in 1949. Until Nixon traveled to China in 1972, the U.S. recognized only Taiwan as the legitimate Chinese government. Nixon pursued a two-China policy, maintaining relations with both countries. However, Jimmy Carter, eager to improve economic relations with China as a way to offset Soviet strength, derecognized Taiwan. Economic ties between the U.S. and Taiwan have remained strong, and the U.S. has sold military equipment to Taiwan, including F-16 fighter aircraft. Diplomatic relations, however, are maintained only informally. China has threatened on numerous occasions to invade Taiwan and annex it by force.
© 2000 TruthNews. All Rights Reserved. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
|
|
