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PFP wants to be briefed on state of Taiwan-US relations

People First Party (PFP) lawmakers yesterday requested that National Security Council (NSC) and foreign affairs officials brief lawmakers on developments in Taiwan-US relations, while their Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) colleagues told them they needed to relax.

"We expressly demand that Taiwan's representative to Washington, David Lee (李大維), brief lawmakers. If he cannot do this, at least Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (黃志芳) and NSC Secretary-General Chiou I-ren (邱義仁) should brief us," PFP Legislator Chang Hsien-yao (張顯耀) said.

Chang made the remarks in reference to reports that US President George W. Bush sent an envoy to Taipei last week to deliver a warning to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) against scrapping the national unification guidelines and the National Unification Council.

The envoy was reportedly Dennis Wilder, the US National Security Council's acting senior director for Asian affairs.

Chang said Wilder's reported visit was a sign that something was amiss in the DPP government's communications and negotiations with the US.

"According to Article Eight of the Organic Law of the National Security Council [國家安全組織法], Chiou is required to brief the legislature as well," Chang added.

But the DPP asked the PFP lawmakers not to spread unconfirmed information that would only discourage the public.

"The US is the leader of democratic countries. Americans will listen and respect the Taiwanese people's voice," DPP Legislator Chen Chin-jun (陳景峻) said.

DPP Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said there were no obstacles in communication channels between Taiwan and the US.

"There is no sign that relations between Taiwan and the US will change. Both governments have a lot of things in common when it comes to international affairs," Hsiao said.

Hsiao said that NSC officials will come up with a solution that accommodates both Taiwanese and US interests.

In response, Huang yesterday said that the US and Taiwan's shared interests outstrip their differences, and that both countries support maintaining the cross-strait status quo.

Huang added that media reports had exaggerated the extent of communications between the US and Taiwan in recent weeks, but he fell short of confirming Wilder's trip.

Huang said he could not offer any further comments on the issue before a decision was reached by the NSC.

Additional reporting by Chang Yun-ping
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