"However, despite the requirements of the TRA and what Taiwanese officials have described as an `urgent and legitimate' need to upgrade its ageing air force by buying newer version F-16s, the Bush administration has not responded to Taiwan's clear interest in receiving price and availability data for these aircraft," she said.
Tancredo, one of Taiwan's most fervent US supporters, chastised Bush for sending "mixed messages" to Taiwan and for violating an inauguration pledge to oppose tyranny and oppression.
"I am beginning to think that perhaps when President Bush made his famous inaugural pronouncement, he should have added an addendum: Offer not available in Taiwan. These kinds of insincere promises and glaring inconsistencies are both disappointing and dangerous. They prompt our friends to question our reliability as an ally -- and our enemies to doubt our resolve," he said.
"The matter of Taiwan's F-16 request is just the latest example of this disturbing phenomenon," Tancredo said in remarks prepared for presentation at the meeting.
Taiwan-born congressman David Wu, a committee member, voiced support for the measure.
"For over fifty years, the United States and Taiwan have fostered a close relationship, which has been of mutual political, economic, cultural and strategic advantage. I believe that the United States should continue to support the legitimate defense needs of Taiwan," he said in a statement.
RSS