-- Removing restrictions on rank and content of military to military exchanges. The TSEA calls on the Secretary of Defense to implement a plan for operational training and exchanges of senior officers "for work in threat analysis, doctrine, force planning, operational methods and other areas."
Faced with Beijing's rebuke and Clinton's veto threat, some senators have suggested not taking up the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act until after Taiwan's March 18 election, if at all. Many have expressed concern that it might upset consideration of permanent extension of China's normal trade relations status. For several reasons, however, US interests are better served by timely Senate consideration of the TSEA.
-- Security supports democracy. By voting before Taiwan's election, the Senate assures Taiwan's people that they can exercise their democratic franchise, confident that China's military coercion is not going unnoticed or unchecked by the US.
-- Enhanced security leads to flexibility in the cross-strait dialogue. Arguments that enhancing Taiwan's security will encourage "moves toward independence" and a regional arms race ignore the history of cross-strait dialogue, which progresses when Taiwan feels secure.
-- The TSEA will help, not hinder, passage of permanent normal trade relations. It demonstrates that the US will not relent on important security and political interests in pursuit of trade with China. As House Majority Leader Richard Armey has said, "Friends of Taiwan should have no fear of our greater trade with China, just as those who want more trade with China should not object to us helping Taiwan. Both measures serve exactly the same end -- to advance the cause of freedom in East Asia."
The TSEA is largely a matter of the implementation of US law. At its heart is the question of whether Congress will reclaim for itself a portion of its authority and responsibility under the Taiwan Relations Act.
The TSEA advocates a form of implementation of the TRA, not a change in substance. Clearly, the US should enhance its own ability to determine and provide for Taiwan's self-defense needs. This is the purpose of the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act. The alternative -- Taiwan's total vulnerability to Chinese attack or total reliance on American intervention -- is unacceptable.
Stephen Yates is senior policy analyst at the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation.
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