U.S. Announces Taiwan Arms Package

$6B Package Could Complicate Stalled N. Korean Disarmament Efforts

(AP)  The Bush administration announced plans Friday to sell $6 billion in arms to Taiwan, a decision sure to anger Taiwan's rival China and one that could complicate stalled North Korean disarmament efforts.

The announcement of the package, which includes Apache helicopters and Patriot III anti-missile missiles, came in a notification to Congress posted on the Defense Security Cooperation Agency Web site. The State Department said lawmakers, who were expected to leave Friday to campaign for November elections, have 30 days to comment on the proposed sale. Without objections, the deal is completed.

The arms package enjoys support among senior lawmakers. China, however, vehemently opposes the U.S. provision of weapons to Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory and threatens to invade should the self-governing island ever formalize its de facto independence.

The United States and China are part of troubled six-nation negotiations to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons. A successful result to the stalled talks is an important foreign policy goal of the Bush administration in its remaining months in office. China, which hosts the talks, is seen as having economic and political leverage with the North.

The State Department said in a statement that the arms package, which also includes Harpoon missiles, Javelin missiles, upgrades for Taiwan's E-2T aircraft and spare parts for Taiwan's air force, is "a significant and tangible demonstration of the commitment of this administration to provide Taiwan the defensive arms its needs to be strong."

Taiwan relies on U.S. weapons to keep pace with China's massive arms buildup across the Taiwan Strait. U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are a sensitive matter because any dispute between China and Taiwan could ensnare the United States, Taiwan's most important ally and largest arms supplier. Washington shifted its recognition as China's official government from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but it remains committed to Taiwan's defense and has hinted it could come to the island's aid if China should attack.

Washington has tried to strike a balance between providing for the defense of Taiwan and establishing better military ties with China.

U.S. caution about selling arms to Taiwan reflects China's growing economic and political clout. The Bush administration needs China's help in a host of international efforts, including attempts to confront Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs.

This year's U.S. Defense Department report on China's military said Beijing continues its huge military buildup opposite Taiwan, further pushing the balance of power between the two rivals toward the mainland's favor.

[amazedd]

I''ll tell you what''s mentally deficient, wetwimp001, it''s boycotting the Chinese Olympics AND threatening to chastise Russia, sheer folly!

[tapsettle]

Stupid america stoking more death and destruction in the world so fat cats can profit. I cant wait for the very near future when america finally loses its superpower status. China, it''s subsequent owner via the current colossal debt, and one of americas frequent targets of provocation, will have a lot of fun determining the fate of post-superpower america. Fully deserved too.

[wcreader]

Rather to promote peace, It is sad to see that US is selling killing weapons, arms to Taiwan and elsewhere to create hate, miss-trust and tension in the region and around world. I agree with the comment make by "thisisfunny" --- So let me get this right. If Russia sells weapons to Iran that is bad but if we sell to Taiwan its all good"???

[ubrew12]

thisisfunny said: "So let me get this right. If Russia sells weapons to Iran that is bad but if we sell to Taiwan its all good. I could never figure this out. "

Iran has oil: hence is worth threatening.
Taiwan has no oil: hence is not worth threatening.

Oil explains everything... EVERYTHING!!!

[zwaggsy]

Funny thing but I seem to recall that Taiwan was improving it''s economic & (to a lesser extent) political ties to China) Does anyone think it really wise to flog a load off hi-tech state off the art gunships & missiles to a nation whose loyalties are uncertain at best?

[thisisfunny]

So let me get this right. If Russia sells weapons to Iran that is bad but if we sell to Taiwan its all good. I could never figure this out. I''m sure China is so Haaaaappy.

[amazedd]

Fashion week, quotha? Toys ''R'' Us, and these are must haves.

[amazedd]

Win-win, Tai-won!
Next, please.

China is a brutal authoritarian dictatorship with no regard for basic human rights. The government there consistently and systematically abuses the populace. The government is also complicit in the environmental devastation across China. Taiwan is absolutely entitled to independence from this brutal, illegitimate dictatorship.

[smurfcrusher]

Bush needs a cranial rectoscopy.

[cdfoxtrot4]

Bush got his $850 billion dollar bailout of his Wall Street backers today. Now he''s going to get $6bn in advanced weaponry over to Taiwan, just in time to p1ss off the Chinese and the Koreans. Is he absolutely determined to create as much mayhem as he can, before leaving office?

[babooph]

Why do they not just go under Mainland protection & save a fortune ?All the nations seem to be headed to world govt. down the road.

[lewiston14]

China could take Tiawan any time they want to. They know it, the US knows it, and the world knows it. It would all be over before the US blinked. What is the US going to do bomb China? That would be a big mistake. I think China is woundering what they would do with Tiawan if it they had it as it would not be worth much anymore.