Pentagon warns of rising missile threat

The two men, who were in Taiwan during last month's presidential election, praised the election, saying it was "proof" of the strength of Taiwan's democracy.

"The system was sorely tested but appears to have emerged intact and resilient," they said.

President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) victory, if upheld in the courts, "will appear to be vindication for Chen's campaign that stressed Taiwan's separate identity and a mandate for his plans for constitutional reform," they said.