The Dallas Morning News

May 16, 2001

Peaceful Resolution 

Re: "Crouching Tiger-Bush should clarify policy toward China and Taiwan" Editorials, May 3. 

Contrary to your editorial "Crouching Tiger", U.S. policy regarding Taiwan is not "peaceful unification" but rather "peaceful resolution."  The U.S. has been quite consistent: both sides, Taiwan and China, must come a resolution that is peaceful, mutually agreed upon, and, because Taiwan is a democracy, has the consent of the people of the island.  All options are open as long as these conditions are met. 

You ask what might U.S. interest be in Taiwan.  A 12/18 Pentagon report, "Implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act," answers:  "The U.S. takes its obligation to assist Taiwan in maintaining a self-defense capability very seriously.  This  is not only because it is mandated by U.S. law in the TRA, but also because it is in our own national interest.  As long as Taiwan has a capable defense, the environment will be more conducive to peaceful dialogue, and thus the whole region will be more stable." 

This is a policy the U.S. public can enthusiastically endorse.

Ming-chi, Wu

Denton

Vice President

Formosan Association for Public Affairs