Powell's reversal seen as `positive' by government

Saying that Taiwan is aware of the clarifications made by the US concerning Secretary of State Colin Powell's recent "reunification" remarks and Washington's assertion that it would stick to the "Six Assurances," Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidential Office James Huang (黃志芳) yesterday said the explanation from the US was "positive and helpful," and that the government will continue to communicate with the US via multiple channels.

Taiwan's top representative to the US confirmed yesterday that US officials reassured him that Washington will adhere to the "Six Assurances" it made in 1982 as guidelines for its policy toward Taiwan.

During a meeting with Chinese-language media in Washington, David Lee (李大維) confirmed that Randall Shriver, US deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian Affairs, told him that the US' stance on Taiwan's sovereignty has not changed and that the "Six Assurances" remain unchanged.

The Reagan administration offered its "Six Assurances" to Taiwan after it signed a joint communique on Aug. 17, 1982 with China over arms sales to Taiwan.

Lee said that he immediately contacted the State Department to express Taiwan's "grave concern" and asked for clarification after Powell made remarks regarding the cross-strait relationship in an interview with the Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV Group during his Monday visit to Beijing.

In the interview, Powell said that "Taiwan is not independent. It does not enjoy sovereignty as a nation," and that the two sides should move forward to a "peaceful reunification."

According to Lee, Shriver reiterated in a "face to face" talk with him Tuesday that the "Six Assurances," particularly the fifth point -- namely, the US would not alter its position about Taiwan's sovereignty, and the question was to be decided peacefully by the parties involved themselves -- remain unchanged.

Meanwhile, Lee said that Powell clarified during an interview with Ron Insana of CNBC Wednesday that the words "peaceful reunification" should have been "peaceful resolution."

"The term of art really is to have a `peaceful resolution' of the problem. And that's the term of art, and that is our policy and remains our policy," Powell was quoted as saying to CNBC.

Lee said that he believes that Washington will formally reiterate its "Six Assurances" toward Taiwan again shortly, adding that he expected to be briefed by US officials about Powell's recent Beijing visit.

The "Six Assurances" stipulate that the US has not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales to the Republic of China (ROC); has not agreed to hold prior consultations with Beijing on arms sales to the ROC; will not play any mediation role between Taiwan and Beijing; has not agreed to revise the Taiwan Relations Act; has not altered its position regarding sovereignty of Taiwan; and will not exert pressure on Taiwan to enter into negotiations with Beijing.

Meanwhile, Lee said that actually, Powell has on many occasions during his talks with the Chinese leadership spoken favorably on behalf of Taiwan, including saying that the US remains firm in its stance on arms sales to Taiwan despite Beijing's strong opposition and that the US has continued to encourage Beijing to face squarely the goodwill that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) demonstrated toward China in his Double Ten National Day address.