Fri, Jun 15, 2007 page3

• Chen exchanges views with AIT chairman

  COMMITMENTS While the president asked for US reiteration of its commitment to the `six assurances,' Raymond Burghardt asked about the government's arms budget

  • By Ko Shu-ling / STAFF REPORTER
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  President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) expressed concern over the US' commitment to the "six assurances" in a meeting with a high-ranking US official yesterday, saying he hoped Washington would reiterate its pledges.

  "I'm very concerned whether the US government has changed its `six assurances' or even abandoned them," Chen said. "If not, I hope the US government will reiterate its pledge at an appropriate time."

  Chen made the remarks in a meeting with Raymond Burghardt, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), at the Presidential Office yesterday afternoon.

  The "six assurances" refer to the pledge made in 1982 by former US president Ronald Reagan in which he promised that the US will not: Set a date for termination of arms sales to Taiwan; alter the terms of the Taiwan Relations Act [TRA]; consult with China in advance before making decisions about US arms sales to Taiwan; mediate between Taiwan and China; alter its position about the sovereignty of Taiwan, which was that the question was one to be decided peacefully by the people of Taiwan themselves, or pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with China; or formally recognize Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan.

  The assurances were formulated in response to the 1982 communique signed between Washington and Beijing, in which Reagan pledged that the US would reduce arms sales to Taiwan.

  Burghardt did not respond to Chen's call on the "six assurances," but said the US government would be particularly glad to see the government budget, especially some items relating to the US' security commitment to Taiwan, pass the legislature today.

  Chen reiterated that the "four nos" pledge he made in 2000 and 2004 would remain unchanged for the remainder of his term. Chen said the pledge has helped maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and cement the hard-earned friendship between Taipei and Washington.

  Chen also said he hoped the US would voice its support for the country's plan to join the UN Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

  He said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had rejected the country's application, citing UN Resolution 2758 and claiming that the resolution stated Taiwan was part of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

  "His argument does not tally with the fact because the resolution never makes such a statement," he said. "We support the US government's `one China' policy, which is defined by the TRA of 1979 and the `six assurances' of 1982. Neither of them recognize Taiwan as part of PRC."

  Chen also took aim at Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) for being "naive" and "ignorant," with his "mutual non-denial" theory.

  Ma on Wednesday said that the KMT supports the idea of each side of the Strait having its own interpretation of "one China."

  Taiwan has never denied PRC is a sovereign state, Chen said.

  "It is the PRC that refuses to recognize Taiwan as a sovereignty," he said. "To expect China to respect and recognize Taiwan as a country is like seeking fish on a tree. The person must be not only naive but also ignorant if he advocates this `mutual non-denial.'"
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