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US senators call on Obama to voice support for TRA

A group of US senators — acting in bipartisan unity — have put US President Barack Obama on the spot over Taiwan.

On the eve of his trip to London where he will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), the senators asked Obama to take some action that would officially recognize the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).

“There could not be a worse time for this,” a senior political source with White House links said on condition of anonymity.

“On the one hand, we would like to do something for the anniversary, but on the other we do not want to jeopardize or impede the meeting with Hu at this juncture of the international economic crisis,” the source said.

No fewer than 30 senators — almost a third of the US Senate — signed a letter to Obama saying they hoped he would join them “in expressing our nation's continued support for freedom, security and prosperity for the people of Taiwan.”

But Obama's immediate priority will be the G20 economic summit in London, where he has the bilateral meeting with Hu as a major event on his schedule.

Over the last few days, Beijing has issued a strong statement making it clear that it regards the TRA as an interference in its internal affairs and has condemned the US Congress for celebrating the anniversary.

The White House source said it was “highly unlikely” that Obama would say anything about the TRA before his meeting with Hu, but that he might make a statement on the day itself — April 10 — which falls after the meeting.

While the source would not spell it out, the indication was that it would all depend on what progress, if any, was made in US-China relations at the London summit.

The senators are hoping that Obama will make a statement praising the TRA and reiterating the US commitment to Taiwan.

If Obama were to do that, it would serve as a warning to Beijing that the US remained ready to provide military support for Taiwan should China attempt to take it by force.

At this point US policy remains highly ambiguous and no one knows what the US would do should China attack.

The letter to Obama says: “The US has maintained a unique and close partnership with Taiwan for over 60 years. Taiwan is one of our strongest allies in Asia and has become a beacon of democracy and economic growth in a rapidly evolving and vital region for the US.”

“On April 10, the US and Taiwan will commemorate an important milestone in our longstanding relationship as we mark the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. This legislation provides an institutional framework and legal basis for our continued relations after the end of formal diplomatic ties,” it says.

“The TRA guarantees America's support for Taiwan's self-defense capability, pledges to maintain the capability to resist any resort to force or coercion that would jeopardize Taiwan and reaffirms the preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all people in Taiwan,” it states. “This unprecedented legislation has helped keep peace and stability in Asia, and has allowed a highly productive relationship between our governments to grow and prosper.”

“The US and Taiwan have brought about ties that are as strong today as at any time since passage of the TRA. Consequently, we hope you will join us in recognizing the 30th anniversary of this landmark legislation and in expressing our nation's continued support for freedom, security and prosperity for the people of Taiwan,” it adds.

Among those who signed the letter were senators James Inhofe, Tim Johnson, Ron Wyden and Sam Brownback.

Other prominent senators to sign were Joseph Lieberman, Lindsey Graham, Byron Dorgan, Orrin Hatch, Saxby Chambliss, Arlen Spector, Lisa Murkowski, John D Rockefeller and Olympia Snowe.
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