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US comfortable with detente: AIT

The US government feels comfortable with the direction of cross-strait relations and considers any developments a matter for China and Taiwan, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman Raymond Burghardt said yesterday in a meeting with the press.

Burghardt said the US was “truly enthusiastic” about the detente, but that the level of cross-strait engagement should be decided by Taiwan and China alone.

“There is not a view in Washington that there is some kind of red line in terms of cross-strait engagement. There is not a concern that moving beyond economic issues into the political and military realm is threatening to us,” Burghardt said. “We are comfortable with what’s happening and where it seems to be going.”

What would make the US uncomfortable, he said, would be a breakdown in cross-strait negotiations and reaching an impasse that could lead to tensions re-emerging.

He said the drop in hostility between Taiwan and China was favorable to the US’ commercial interests and that for many Taiwan-based US companies, the recent cross-strait transportation and communication agreements have made it easier to use Taiwan as a base for business with China.

The US is most concerned about avoiding aggression, he said; all cross-strait issues must be handled peacefully and accurately reflect the will of the people on both sides of the Strait, and Taiwan must not be coerced into any situation.

“But that’s not something we foresee,” Burghardt added.

Regarding Washington’s plans for the rest of its arms sale package to Taiwan, Burghardt said military dialogue between Taiwan and the US would continue and that so far “nothing is ruled in and nothing is ruled out.”

When asked whether the US saw China’s missiles pointed across the Strait as a threat to Taiwan and what the US would do if it deemed the missiles a threat, he jokingly replied: “What are you suggesting we do about it? Bomb them?”

“The US has very clearly and publicly stated that the 1,500 missiles — or the 1,100 missiles, whatever it is — that are facing Taiwan are a threat, that they are threatening and they should go away,” he said. “As far as what the US is doing about it ... in addition to telling China that we want to see those missiles go away, we do what we have done in the last 30 years under the TRA [Taiwan Relations Act], which is to provide Taiwan with military support.”

Burghardt cited equipment and training as examples of military support and said the US had contingency plans for “what ifs.”

The director reiterated the US’ support for Taiwan to be granted meaningful participation in international bodies such as the World Health Assembly, but said the US did not wish to mediate on the matter between Taipei and Beijing and was not expected to do so.

Burghardt also reiterated a call for Taiwan to fully open its market to US beef.

Meanwhile, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said yesterday while recei Burghardt at the Presidential Office that the government would continue to negotiate with the US over a free-trade agreement, an extradition agreement and a visa-waiver program.

Ma said his administration had made considerable efforts to improve cross-strait relations and he promised to continue to promote stability in the region.

“We have improved cross-strait relations and reduced tensions across the Taiwan Strait. Such efforts open up a lot of opportunities and help people from the two sides gain a better understanding of each other,” Ma said.

The president praised the creation of the TRA 30 years ago and said he expected it would continue to play a role in maintaining stability across the Strait.

At his meeting with Ma, Burghardt said the administration of US President Barack Obama applauded the progress in cross-strait relations.

This is Burghardt’s sixth visit to Taiwan as AIT chairman. He was also scheduled to meet Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY MO YAN-CHIH
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