Taiwan Warned By U.S., Nation Asked Not To Provoke China [WP]

[truthisfreedom]

here we have an example of how we are being forced to handle a delicate situation by not supporting the independence and freedom of a friendly ally because we simply don't have the military resources to do anything to protect them because bush decided he had to have the oil. bush gotta have it!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A46623-2003Dec8?language=printer
Taiwan Warned By U.S. Nation Asked Not To Provoke China


By Glenn Kessler and Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, December 9, 2003; Page A01


On the eve of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit, the Bush administration signaled a tougher stance on Taiwan's moves toward independence yesterday, warning the island nation not to take any unilateral steps that might provoke the government on the Chinese mainland.
<snip>

Taiwan has freedoms and a thriving democracy of the sort celebrated by the president, while China is ruled by autocrats and allows little political or religious freedom. But now Bush needs Chinese assistance on economic and diplomatic issues, even as it has continued a military buildup opposite Taiwan. Meanwhile, Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has alarmed U.S. officials with a series of provocative actions and statements, including scheduling a referendum that would call on China to withdraw ballistic missiles aimed at the island.

With administration officials and the U.S. military preoccupied with the postwar reconstruction of Iraq, the White House is eager to head off a potential crisis in another part of the globe.
<snip>
"The salami is being sliced from both ends here. At one end, you have the Chinese continuing to build up their military capabilities," the official added. "On the other hand, you have a Taiwan that seems to be pushing the envelope pretty vigorously on questions that seem to be related to Taiwan's status, and that makes us uncomfortable."
<snip>
The Bush administration has said it "does not support" Taiwan's independence. But Chinese officials have said that Bush has gone further in two private meetings with Chinese leaders, saying his administration "opposes" independence. White House officials deny that, but the subtle difference in wording is highly significant to China. In recent months, Chinese officials have pressed for sharper language from the Bush administration on Taiwan's independence movement.
<snip>

[mr_hat]

1. The U.S. further demanded that Taiwan cease >

its threatening proximity to mainland China.

[truthisfreedom]

3. hahahahah! excellent point.

"Taiwan asked to tow itself further out to sea."

[tlcandie]

2. Okay, well just when you think you've seen it all .. YET again ...

this is the one that makes me call it a night! UNBELIEVEABLE!!! But expected from someone else's post earlier regarding China meeting with * and how they have us over a barrel.

No unilateral movements...

No independence!!!


:wow: Is all I can say while I shake my head and sadly walk away. How far we have fallen in such a short time...

[JaySherman]

5. The U.S. has never supported democracies.

At least not those that don't fit its definition of a "democratic" state (i.e. American business-friendly). Ask a Nicaraguan, Salvadoran, Chilean, Haitian, or Saudi about that. The only difference now is, they're no longer making any attempt hide it. The Bushies and the neocons are so sure of themselves and their power, they don't even bother with the facade anymore. "This is what we're doing, and who gives a monkey's butt what the people think."

[dusty64]

11. Sad but true.

Many still believe our foreign policy is driven by the desire to spread freedom and democracy. Its hard to accept the fact it is solely for the agenda of multinational corporations and many dictators were in fact created by us, only to lash out at us later. We will gladly sell out Taiwan and any other country if it threatens our wealthy's ability to make $$$$$. It isn't at all about freedom and until that changes much of the world will continue to hate us and rightly so. Imagine how much good we could have accomplished on the Planet with the money and effort used to prop up our corporate interests.

[saoirse]

4. Actually, this is one case where I'm in agreement

The last thing we need is another crisis in Asia.

This is the right call - but the Bush foreign policy is
still a total disaster.

[UpInArms]

6. don't you just love when

words from the past come and bite you in the ass?

http://www.fas.org/news/china/2001/china-010425-taiwanzws.htm

Bush Reviews First 100 Days and U.S.-China Relations

The United States has an obligation to protect Taiwan from attack by
China, and will do so if necessary, President Bush said in a series of
interviews with news organizations to mark his 100th day in office,
which falls on Sunday, April 29.

"What I'm saying is that China must know that if circumstances
warrant, that we will uphold the spirit of the Taiwan Relations Act
and that they just have got to understand that. Clearly. They just
need to understand that we will do so. ... The Chinese have got to
understand that (military force) is clearly an option," Bush told the
Associated Press (AP) April 25.

In an April 24 interview with ABC News, broadcast April 25, Bush said
he would do "whatever it took" to defend Taiwan from an attack by
China.

...more...

and

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1204656.stm

George W Bush's new administration has already made it clear that unlike the Clinton administration they do not regard China as a "strategic partner".

The Republicans, who now control both houses of the Congress and the White House, have traditionally been more pro-Taiwan than the Democrats.

[Guaranteed]

7. You know what a big problem with Bush's foreign policy is?

We've already used our "big guns." We didn't leave ourselves any room in our negotiations with the rest of the world- we went straight to hardball without even really trying to work things out in a civil manner. They've already see the "worst," most forceful tactic that we have (without resorting to nukes, which is insane anyway), and it was totally ineffective. Of course, that's only one small reason why Bush's foreign policy is wrong, but, I think it's a good, general life lesson to be learned.

You've always got to hold something back. Never give the impression that you've gone "all out," because if it doesn't work, or if people think you're running out of steam, they're going to take advantage of you.

Bush is learning a severe lesson now. Two drops in a bucket, though.

[DivinBreuvage]

8. Sort of like Chamberlain telling the damned Czechs to shut up,

give Hitler everything he wanted, and stop being difficult about it, lest France and Britain be put out. To honor moral commitments to fellow democracies is sometimes inconvenient for the Great Powers.

[madrchsod]

9. american policy on china

is driven by walmart and the rest of the major us companies. neither country will do anything to upset the apple cart.

[teryang]

10. East Asian policy a shambles

The quagmire in Iraq and the philandering in central Asian and southwest Asian affairs is causing the eastern empire to come unglued.

Contrary to PNAC contentions, the demonstration of military and geopolitical incompetence in the middle east has caused the balance of power in east Asia to shift in China's favor.

The downsizing of the American Army, it dependence on Guard and Reserves, and its over commitment to elective war on behalf of energy companies, defense contractors, the Israeli lobby is having its inevitable effect. The program of distracting Americans from the dismantling of the Republic with a fraudulent war and phony national security crisis has resulted in strategic weakness and vulnerabilities on a number of fronts.

This comes as no suprise to the people here at DU.

[DeathvadeR]

12. US to Taiwan..............

You cannot become an independent democracy because it will effect our economy. too bad, soo sad!!!!

[ConcernedCanuk]

13. "You cannot become an independent democracy" - UNLESS

it is approved by 'Merikkka'

like the "democracy" going on in Iraq right now

only Murikkan "democracy" is allowed !

(sigh)