Washington Times 

April 18, 2001

"Taiwan defense more crucial than ever"

In their March 28 Op-ed "Caution or urgency in arms for Taiwan," Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Craig Thomas recommend that the United States not sell the sophisticated Aegis-equipped destroyers to Taiwan during the annual U.S.-Taiwan arms negotiations this month. However, their reasoning that the three Sino-American communiques prohibit such a sale does not hold. The communiques were concluded based on China´s commitment to peaceful resolution of cross-Taiwan Strait relations.

More importantly, the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act states that "It is the policy of the United States to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character." The communiques were mere memoranda of understanding.

Unlike the senators, Adm. Dennis Blair, U.S. Commander-in-Chief for Pacific Forces, does worry about the continued buildup of Chinese intermediate-range missiles pointed at Taiwan. On March 27, he told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he has informed Chinese officials that "as their numbers increase and as their accuracy improves, become militarily significant, will force a response by the United States eventually in order to maintain sufficient defense, and that is really the most troubling aspect of the buildup."

The United States should sell the Aegis-equipped destroyers to Taiwan now.

IRIS HO
Fairfax