Text: Majority Whip Delay Statement on Weapons Sales to Taiwan
(Praises Bush, says U.S. can "ensure peace through strength")Saying the United States has "a moral responsibility to stand by our democratic allies and protect democracies," Majority Whip Tom Delay (Republican from Texas) praised the Bush Administration in an April 24 press release for deciding to sell to Taiwan "the most robust package of defensive weapons . . . in over a decade."
"With this decision, President Bush has made it crystal clear that the United Sates will not allow communist China to dictate our foreign policy and that we are once again committed to our democratic allies in Taiwan," said Delay, the third ranking Republican in the House of Representatives.
The Texas lawmaker said that Taiwan's request for Aegis-equipped destroyers, "could be approved in the future if Beijing continues to threaten Taiwan with force."
Following is the text:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, April 24, 2001Majority Whip DeLay Statement on Bush Approval of Weapons Systems to Taiwan
Washington, DC: Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-TX) made the following statement today on the Administration's approval of military technology and weapons systems to Taiwan.
Congressman DeLay's Statement Follows:
"It is so encouraging that we now have a President who understands that we can best ensure peace through strength. As leader of the free world, we have a moral responsibility to stand by our democratic allies and protect democracies.
"The Bush administration has approved the most robust package of defensive weapons approved for Taiwan in over a decade. With this decision, President Bush has made it crystal clear that the United Sates will not allow communist China to dictate our foreign policy and that we are once again committed to our democratic allies in Taiwan.
"I am further encouraged that the Administration has made it clear that other weapons requests, including the Aegis system, could be approved in the future if Beijing continues to threaten Taiwan with force. I look forward to working with the Bush Administration to ensure that our democratic allies in Taiwan are given the weapons and defenses necessary to protect itself from China."
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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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