DATE=7/7/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235132
TITLE=SENATE-TAIWAN (2ND UPDATE)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   PRESIDENT CLINTON'S REMARKS ON TAIWAN ARE DRAWING A 
CRITICAL REACTION IN THE SENATE, WHERE OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS ARE 
DECLARING THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE ISLAND.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS 
DETAILS.

TEXT:   AFTER HOLDING THEIR RHETORICAL FIRE DURING THE 
PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO CHINA, REPUBLICANS ARE NOW RESUMING THE 
ATTACK, WITH THE FOCUS ON TAIWAN.  A RESOLUTION INTRODUCED 
TUESDAY REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT IN TAIPEI AND URGES 
THE PRESIDENT TO PRESS BEIJING TO RENOUNCE THE USE OF FORCE 
AGAINST TAIWAN.

MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT SAYS THE MEASURE SIMPLY REINFORCES A 
LONGSTANDING POLICY - WHICH HE SAYS THE PRESIDENT UNDERMINED WITH
COMMENTS HE MADE ON THE TRIP.

                        /// LOTT ACT ///

         THIS RESOLUTION IS NECESSARY TO CORRECT THE EFFECTS OF 
         THE STATEMENTS THAT WERE MADE IN SHANGHAI.  BEFORE 
         SHANGHAI U-S POLICY WAS TO ACKNOWLEDGE BEIJING'S 
         POSTION.  NOW WE HAVE APPARENTLY MADE BEIJING'S POSITION
         OUR POLICY.

                         /// END ACT ///

IN SHANGHAI, MR. CLINTON SAID THE UNITED STATES WOULD NOT FAVOR A
FULLY INDEPENDENT TAIWAN, RECOGNIZE ITS GOVERNMENT OR SUPPORT ITS
MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.  THE WHITE HOUSE HAS 
SINCE BEEN TRYING TO REASSURE NERVOUS TAIWANESE LEADERS, SAYING 
MR. CLINTON WAS NOT CHANGING POLICY.  SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER 
TOM DASCHLE AGREES.

                       /// DASCHLE ACT ///

         OBVIOUSLY WE WANT TO PROTECT THE TAIWANESE' RIGHTS AND 
         ENSURE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THEIR UNIQUE STATUS IN THE 
         WORLD.  I THINK THAT'S BEEN DONE AND I DON'T THINK 
         ANYTHING THE PRESIDENT DID LAST WEEK AFFECTED TAIWAN OR 
         OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH TAIWAN IN ANY WAY.

                         /// END ACT ///

THIS LATEST SENATE RESOLUTION HAS NO FORCE OF LAW.  BUT IT MEANS 
THE PRESIDENT FACES ANOTHER CLASH OVER CHINA POLICY.  CONGRESS IS
ALREADY PROBING TRANSFERS OF SENSITIVE MISSILE TECHNOLOGY TO 
BEIJING.  ANOTHER CHALLENGE IS LIKELY LATER THIS MONTH, WHEN THE 
SENATE TAKES UP HUMAN RIGHTS LEGISLATION.(SIGNED)

NEB/DS/WDC/PT

07-Jul-98 7:19 PM EDT (2319 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.