Text: Taiwan - Interagency Process on Arms Sales
(State Department statement regarding question taken April 16)Following is the text of a question taken at the April 16 regular State Department briefing; an answer was posted on April 17:
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the SpokesmanApril 17, 2001
Taken Question 4/16/01
TAIWAN - INTERAGENCY PROCESS ON ARMS SALES
Q: Is there a date set for Secretary Powell to send a recommendation to the White House regarding the Taiwan arms issue?
A: Pursuant to our obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act, we "make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability."
Our decisions regarding arms sales to Taiwan are the result of an extensive process of interagency consultations as well as consultations with Taiwan and the Congress.
We do not discuss the details of this process, except to note that the consultations are ongoing and are taking place at a high level.
There are no legally mandated dates for this process.
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