Text: House Leader Gephardt Statement on the Taiwan Arms Sales
(Has "serious questions" about denying Taiwan Aegis)House of Representatives Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (Democrat of Missouri) said in a statement released April 23 that he had "serious questions regarding the Bush Administration's decision not to provide destroyers equipped with advanced command and control systems to Taiwan. "
Taiwan had asked to purchase from the United States sophisticated Aegis-equipped destroyers, which, when armed with anti-missile and anti-aircraft weapons, are capable of tracking and responding to more than 100 planes and missiles at one time.
"China's military buildup and other provocative acts demonstrate that the U.S. must have a comprehensive, focused and consistent policy toward that nation," Gephardt said.
"Part of such a policy is clearly assisting Taiwan," he added.
Gephardt also expressed disappointment that the United States has not secured an agreement from the Chinese government for the return of the U.S. Navy surveillance aircraft that was involved in a collision with a Chinese jet April 1 and forced to make an emergency landing on Hainan Island.
He said he was "concerned" that the U.S. has not yet resumed surveillance flights in the region, and urged the Bush Administration to press forcefully for the release of U.S. citizens and residents who have been detained recently by Chinese authorities.
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Following is the text of the press release:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 4/23/01
Gephardt Statement on the Taiwan Arms Sales"I fully support providing Taiwan with assistance and equipment necessary for its self-defense. With the sizeable buildup of military forces on the mainland side of the Taiwan Strait, I have serious questions regarding the Bush Administration's decision not to provide destroyers equipped with advanced command and control systems to Taiwan.
"China's military buildup and other provocative acts demonstrate that the U.S. must have a comprehensive, focused and consistent policy toward that nation. Part of such a policy is clearly assisting Taiwan. But it also includes asserting our own security priorities, especially in the aftermath of the Navy surveillance plane incident earlier this month.
"I am disappointed that we have not yet secured an agreement from the Chinese for the return of our Navy surveillance aircraft. And I am concerned that we have not resumed surveillance flights in the region, if only to demonstrate our right to do so in international airspace.
"Our policy must also include calling on China to respect international human rights standards. Over the past several weeks, China has detained a number of U.S. citizens and residents who have been pursuing scholarly work. I urge the Bush Administration to press forcefully for the release of these individuals and compliance with the rule of law. The recent release of our Navy air crew must not divert us from attention to these ongoing and troubling matters."
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