DATE=2/29/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - CHINA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259678
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  President Clinton says he believes Beijing's 
threats against Taiwan will not undermine efforts to 
grant China permanent normal trade status.  The 
President attributes, what he calls Beijing's - 
inflammatory language - to the heated political 
atmosphere before Taiwan's presidential elections.  
Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from the White 
House.

Text:  Mr. Clinton reacted cautiously to warnings from 
some U-S Senators that China's threats against Taiwan 
could doom a trade deal with Beijing.

            // CLINTON ACT //

      I do not sense that this vote is slipping away.


            // END ACT //

Congress must grant China permanent normal trade 
relations as a condition for Beijing's entry into the 
World Trade Organization.  Some lawmakers, notably 
those in Mr. Clinton's Democratic party, are reluctant 
to back freer trade, believing it would lead to an 
erosion of labor and environmental standards.

Some Senators last week expressed concern that the 
lukewarm support for the trade deal may evaporate 
altogether over what they call China's `reckless 
threat' to attack Taiwan.

Beijing last week issued a policy `white paper' in 
which it reiterated its threat to use force against 
Taipei if the island declared independence or was 
invaded by a foreign power.  But in an apparent 
escalation, China also warned Taiwan of attack if it 
indefinitely delayed reunification talks.

As he prepared to depart on a fundraising trip to 
Florida, Mr. Clinton said the white paper contains 
some - inflammatory language - as he put it.  But in 
an effort to highlight the positive, he said the 
document also includes suggestions about how a 
dialogue might be opened.

The President suggested the sharp rhetoric might be an 
attempt by Beijing to influence the outcome of the 
upcoming presidential elections in Taiwan.

            // CLINTON ACT //

      I understand this is the political season there, 
      they are having a Presidential election in 
      Taiwan, but I have noticed not only this 
      election in America, but in previous ones, 
      sometimes things are said in political seasons 
      that might not be said at other times.

            // END ACT //

Mr. Clinton reiterated the 20-year-old U-S - One-China 
Policy - that calls for dialogue to resolve the Taiwan 
issue.   (SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/RAE



29-Feb-2000 13:22 PM EDT (29-Feb-2000 1822 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.