DATE=3/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S CHINA - S & L  (OVERNIGHT)
NUMBER=2-260277
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO: Defense Secretary William Cohen says China does 
not appear to be getting ready to attack Taiwan, even 
though officials in Beijing have been making blunt 
threats to take military action against the island.  

Mr. Cohen is urging both sides to avoid provocative 
military or political actions as Taiwan's voters head  
to the polls Saturday.  V-O-A's Jim Randle reports 
from Seoul,South Korea where Mr. Cohen is holding 
talks with the President and Minister of National 
Defense.  

Text: Defense Secretary William Cohen says Beijing's 
bellicose statements are not matched by collecting 
ships or massing troops --  the kind of military 
activities that would be needed for an invasion of 
Taiwan.

///  Cohen act   ///

We do not see any evidence of preparations for an 
attack, any kind of imminent attack. 
 
///  end act  ///

China has long threatened to attack Taiwan if the 
island declared independence, and lately said it would 
call in the military if Taiwan delayed efforts to 
reunite with the mainland.  

During Taiwan's last election campaign four years ago 
China fired ballistic missiles into the ocean near 
Taiwan.  A top Pentagon official says China now has 
hundreds of the missiles that could reach targets on 
Taiwan.  But Mr. Cohen says, this time Beijing is 
firing only angry words.

///  rest opt for long  ///

///  Cohen act    ///

In the past, the Chinese Government has tried to 
affect the outcome of the election in Taiwan in a show  
of force.  On this occasion, they appear to be trying 
to affect the outcome of the election by a show of 
words.  So in that sense, there has been some 
improvement.

///  end act ///

Mr. Cohen, a veteran politician (from the northeastern 
state of Maine) who won election to the U-S Senate and 
many other offices before becoming defense secretary, 
says Beijing's crude attempts to intimidate voters 
probably won't work.  He says voters will choose new 
leaders based on the perceived qualities of the 
candidates not threats from the mainland.

And Mr. Cohen says the louder those threats get, the 
more likely the U-S Congress is to approve Taiwan's 
request to buy some of America's most advanced 
weapons.  

///  opt  ///

China and Taiwan have been at odds ever since 
Communist forces won the Chinese civil war and the 
defeated Nationalist forces retreated to Taiwan, half 
a century ago.  China's government considers the 
island to be a rebellious province that must be 
brought back under Beijing's control.  China has 
threatened to attack if the island formally declares 
independence. 

///  end opt  ///

Mr. Cohen spoke at a press conference in Tokyo before 
flying to Seoul for talks with South Korean leaders.   
About the time Mr. Cohen arrived Friday, around one 
hundred people gathered on a Seoul street to protest 
the strong military relationship between Korea and the 
United States.  They complained about crimes by U-S 
troops and other issues.  (Signed)

NEB/JR/PLM



17-Mar-2000 06:49 AM EDT (17-Mar-2000 1149 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.