Bush Opposes Taiwan Bid for Independence

[sleipnir]

WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) said Tuesday after meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that he opposes the apparent interest of Taiwan's leaders in taking steps toward independence.

We oppose any unilateral decision by either China or Taiwan to change the status quo," Bush said, "and the comments and actions made by the leader of Taiwan indicate that he may be willing to make decisions unilaterally, to change the status quo, which we oppose."


It was the administration's strongest statement to date in opposition to Taiwan's plan to conduct a referendum on March 20 on whether the Taiwanese people want to demand that China withdraw hundreds of missiles aimed at Taiwan and renounce the use of force against the island.

"The Chinese government respects the desire of people in Taiwan for democracy, but we must point out that the (Taiwanese leaders) are only using democracy as an excuse and attempt to resort to defensive referendums to split Taiwan away from China," he said. "Such separatist activities are what the Chinese side can absolutely not accept."

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=516&u=/ap/20031209/ap_on_re_as/us_china_031209191025&printer=1


What the crap? Bush again comes out and says he opposes Democracy! Screw him

[GainesT1958]

1. Wow! Poppy must've gotten to him...

Before the Neo-Cons did...and he's ticked Jesse Helms off by this statement, too, I'll bet! Better watch it, Dub...both the Neo-Cons and Ultra-Fundies mad at you at the same time...not a good thing heading into 2004!:eyes:

B-)

[wegottem]

3. the problem is

He has not been the liberator.

[NewJeffCT]

9. Didn't the Chinese embarrass Thatcher

Didn't they embarrass her years ago on Hong Kong, basically telling her to 'talk to the hand' regarding Hong Kong becoming part of China that left her so shaken that she stumbled out of the room? Maybe somebody in the Bush admin is trying to avoid the same situation over Taiwan in the near future?

[Blue_Chill]

2. Bush sells out to abortion forcing, Anti-theist, Anti-freedom State.

Where are those faith based values now????!!!!!

[theboss]

4. This is just a restatement of policy

Our stance has been "One China" forever.

[sleipnir]

5. Not really, we've got both Two-China and One-China policies

We've always had an unofficial two-China policy. We never talked about it, but we always regarded privatly that Taiwan was independant of China. Bush is making a big mistake with a open one=China policy, but oh well, the world is doomed anyway.

[sable302]

6. wasn't there a gaffe

early on in his administration where he stated something like that 'America will stand by its two China policy' (paraphrased). I seem to remember my jaw hitting the floor over over that one. I guess his handlers have since corrected him.

Anyone else remember it? Was I dreaming that one?

[htuttle]

7. What he said was that we would use military force to defend Taiwan

...Which many thought would lead to Taiwan feeling confident enough to declare independence.

But that was then, apparently...

[sable302]

8. yes, it was the same

It was part of the defending Taiwan issue. However, I do distinctly remember the words 'two' and 'China' used back to back by the prez. At the time, I thought it was a pretty remarkable thing for him to say, considering all the trade we do with both places.

Two China....one China. It's all the same as long as we can all still have a cheap s*t Christmas. :eyes:

[LondonReign2]

10. Defending Taiwan

...is exactly why the Monkey Prince doesn't want them to declare independence. Do you think he would want to confront China? Absolutely not; remember, "we're sorry, we're very sorry, we're very very sorry" WRT the plane that went down?

Monkey Prince is a true bully...he wouldn't dare take on someone that might be able to fight back. It is another reason he refuses to confront North Korea--the have a real military.

Monkey Prince is a coward.