DATE=2/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S-CHINA (L)
NUMBER=2-259456
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  U-S diplomats are complaining to their Chinese 
counterparts in both Washington and Beijing over a new 
Chinese policy statement threatening to use force 
against Taiwan if reunification talks with the island 
drag on. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the White 
House.

TEXT:  The Chinese threat to use "drastic" measures - 
including military force - if Taiwan tries to delay 
unification talks indefinitely came as an unwelcome 
surprise to the Clinton administration, which has been 
urging caution by both sides in the run-up to Taiwan's  
March 18th presidential election.

White House spokesman Joe Lockhart renewed an appeal 
for engagement and restraint, and reiterated the U-S 
obligation to aid in Taiwan's defense, dating from the 
normalization of ties with Beijing in 1979:

            /// LOCKHART ACTUALITY ///

      If they were to take action which would try to 
      resolve the issue between China and Taiwan 
      through force, we'd view that with grave 
      concern. That's the position articulated in the 
      Taiwan Relations Act and that continues.

            /// END ACT ///

Mr. Lockhart would not be specific about U-S actions 
if China carried out its new threat. But he noted 
President Clinton's dispatch of two navy aircraft 
carriers to the waters around Taiwan four years ago, 
after China staged missile tests near Taiwanese ports 
before the island's last presidential vote.

The Chinese warning - in an official "white paper" 
from State Council in Beijing - drew bipartisan 
criticism in the U-S Congress, where the 
administration has been seeking approval for permanent 
normal trade status for China.

The Republican chairman of the House International 
Relations committee - Benjamin Gilman - said he is  
deeply concerned by what he said is an attempt to 
"intimidate" Taiwan, and said the administration's 
policy of accommodation with China is proving 
ineffective.

At a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee hearing, 
Democrat John Kerry termed the Chinese white paper 
unacceptable, even if it is only a tactical move to 
influence the Taiwanese election:

            /// KERRY ACTUALITY ///

      Many of us are surprised by the bluntness and 
      inappropriateness of this particular challenge. 
      If it is merely an effort to try to affect the 
      elections in Taiwan in a month, it is not a very 
      shrewd way to do that. And it carries with it 
      far more profound dangers for the longer-term 
      interests of the United States and China and 
      indeed the globe, which expects more from our 
      relationship than this kind of saber-rattling.

            /// END ACT ///

Appearing at the same Senate hearing, U-S Assistant 
Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs 
Stanley Roth said U-S complaints were being lodged in 
both Beijing and the Chinese embassy in Washington 
over the statement. 

Mr. Roth said the document is contrary to the 
communiques that are the "bedrock" of U-S Chinese 
relations - and stands in sharp contrast to the 
moderation being shown by the major contenders in the 
Taiwanese presidential race.

            /// ROTH ACTUALITY ///

      We are at a moment where all three candidates in 
      Taiwan, I think, have been trying to emphasize 
      pragmatic, flexible positions that could get the 
      two parties back to the negotiating table. And 
      we believe that is the aspect that should be 
      encouraged, and that Chinese policy should 
      encourage this rather than discourage this with 
      the type of statements we saw in the white paper 
      yesterday.

            /// END ACT ///

            /// REST OPT ///

Congressional Republicans say the Chinese statement 
underscores the need for final action on the bill 
approved earlier this month by the House of 
Representatives that would strengthen U-S military 
relations with Taiwan.

Clinton spokesman (Joe) Lockhart, however, says the 
President already has the authority he needs to help 
Taiwan, and the proposed Taiwan Security Enhancement 
Act would be destabilizing.

He also said the latest dispute need not de-rail 
efforts to win congressional approval for the China 
trade bill, given that its terms are so one-sided in 
favor of the United States. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/ENE/gm/eap



22-Feb-2000 16:54 PM EDT (22-Feb-2000 2154 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.