Cabinet thanks US for firm `no force' position

The Cabinet yesterday thanked the US Department of State for its opposition to the use of force to solve cross-strait tensions, as China sharpens its rhetoric on what it calls President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) separatist attempts.

Amid escalating verbal warnings from China this week, Cabinet Spokesman Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said the government "welcomes and thanks" a senior US official's message to China not to use military force against Taiwan.

Key part

On Thursday, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific, Randall Schriver, told the Taiwan Washington press corps that opposition to the use of force is one of the key parts of the US' one-China policy.

Schriver said if the Taiwanese government's efforts to write a new constitution are going to lead toward independence, the US will not support these moves.

But he also stated that Washington would accept the new constitution as long as it does not extend to decisions regarding Taiwan's independence.

Vice Chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council Johnnason Liu (劉德勳) said Schriver's comments showed the US has been consistent on its cross-strait policy.

Calling on China not to misjudge the Taiwanese government's efforts to deepen the country's democracy by introducing a new constitution and referendums, Lin said Taiwan's determination to defend its democracy should not be underestimated.

He also asked China not to maliciously distort the US' promise to preserve peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

"It is in the US and Taiwan's common interest to prevent any bilateral change in the cross-strait status quo. Taiwan will continue its communication with the US to avoid any attempt to change the status quo by force," Lin said.

The US has stated that it only accepts peaceful solutions pertaining to cross-strait relations. The US' commitment to peace can be seen in the Taiwan Reactions Act and the three communiques, Lin said.

Stressing that "the Republic of China in Taiwan is a sovereign country," Lin said no nation should interfere with Taiwan's introduction of a new constitution and referendums because "these are Taiwan's domestic affairs.

"We cannot accept nor tolerate China's attempt to occupy Taiwan by force and destroy its democracy," he said.

Support

Schriver also showed support for American Institute in Taiwan Chairwoman Therese Shaheen, who has recently drawn criticism from China, and Taiwan's opposition parties, for describing US President George W. Bush as Taiwan's "guardian angel" and Taiwan's purchase of submarines from the US as "silly."

Lin said Shaheen's remarks reflect the US government's stance and her support for Taiwan's democracy.

She said she would back the president elected by the people of Taiwan.

"But she did not show particular favor to any one presidential candidate," Lin said.

"The Cabinet regrets that some opposition politicians maliciously criticized Shaheen's behavior. We hope the domestic presidential campaign will not damage Taiwan's relationship with the US," he said.