Relations between the US and Taiwan have "stabilized" in recent months as a result of a series of positive developments offsetting the ill effects of President Chen Shui-bian's (
"The bilateral relationship is more stable than a month ago," Lee told the Taipei Times following his regular monthly "tea party" press conference with the Taiwan Washington press corps. "I think today's political atmosphere has improved from a month ago."
Lee dismissed the idea that the NUC incident has left a lingering distrust of Chen in Washington. "I think that issue is basically put to an end. I think both sides have agreed to look ahead," he said.
The Taiwanese envoy also implied that Washington was fully expecting to work with Chen for the next two years, until his term expires in 2008.
Washington and Taipei "have almost another two years to work together to improve the relationship," he said.
Lee cited three positive developments in recent months. First, the visit to Taiwan of Deputy US Trade Representative Karan Bhatia on trade issues in May, "which produced very positive results from both Taipei's and Washington's viewpoint."
Second, the June 8 statement by President Chen after meeting with American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond Burghardt reiterating the so-called "four noes," and third, the June 14 announcement by the Mainland Affairs Council of a program of direct charter flights, which from Washington's viewpoint "is regarded as a very positive opening of dialogue between the two sides to reduce tensions across the Strait."
Regarding the constitutional crisis threatening Taiwan as the pan-blues press to topple the Cabinet Lee asserted that Washington is "watching that very carefully," but has decided to take a "neutral position" on the developments.
"Washington just wants to make sure that all the developments follow the due process of law," Lee said.
Lee also rejected a recent article in a defense publication that said the recent high-level US-Taiwan military talks were a failure. The report said the discussions, the "Monterey Talks" in late July, failed to make headway on a variety of issues and lacked substance because US interest in Taiwan "has diminished" in part because the Legislative Yuan has failed to approve a package of US arms sales.
Not so, Lee said. The report "was inaccurate" and later press reports "completely eradicated all the speculation" contained in the report.
Lee said that this was the third Monterey Talks he had attended and described them as the best he has been involved in.
"I think there has been a lot of improvement in terms of the defense capabilities of Taiwan over the years. We are very grateful for the assistance of the US side," he said.
On the North Korean missile tests earlier this week, Lee said that he has held dialogue with US officials "and today we discussed at length about the North Korean situation. I certainly will convey some of the messages from Washington back to Taipei," he said.
When asked whether Taiwan could do something if asked, he said only that the US and Taiwan "share a lot of parallel interests in this issue."
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