A US decision to deploy six B-52 bombers on Guam is mainly aimed at coping with the North Korean situation, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Kau (
Kau made the remarks in response to a press inquiry about his views on the recent US announcement that it will again deploy B-52 bombers on Guam.
Kau said the US decision does not have any direct bearing on the situation in the Taiwan Strait.
After the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Kau said, the US is now focusing its attention on North Korea, with the aim of maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
"The B-52 deployment is part of the US effort to strengthen Asia-Pacific security measures," Kau said.
"It is mainly related to the situation on the Korean peninsula and does not directly relate to cross-Taiwan Strait ties," the vice minister said.
Today marked the 25th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the US law that regulates exchanges with Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic ties.
Kau, who attended a seminar held by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Parris Chang (張旭成) to review the 25-year history of the act, noted some of the items in the act needed to be reinforced or faithfully observed.
While there were debates concerning whether the act needed amendment, Kau said the document should strengthen its recognition of Taiwan's sovereign status.
Touching on the resignation of American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairwoman Therese Shaheen, Kau said personnel reshuffles are a normal procedure in any government.
Noting that the US has a well-crafted administrative system, Kau said a single personnel change will not affect US policy.
"We need not be overly worried about the AIT personnel reshuffle," Kau said, adding that Shaheen's departure will in no way affect Taiwan-US relations.
As to the possibility of the EU lifting its ban on selling arms to China, Kau said the proposal is not expected to be approved soon.
Kau said some EU member states, such as France and Germany, indeed seek to lift the China-bound arms export ban. However, according to the EU's decision-making apparatus, the proposal must obtain the approval of all EU member states.
Moreover, Kau said, the number of EU members will expand from 15 to 25 on May 1.
"By then, the EU decision-making procedure will have become even more complicated," he said.
"Against this backdrop, I don't think the arms-ban lifting proposal can be passed any time soon," Kau said.
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