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AIT head defends US policy on arms sales

American Institute in Taiwan Director William Stanton yesterday defended US policy on arms sales to Taiwan, while reassuring Taiwan that the US was a “dependable” friend.

Answering a question from a diplomacy major from China after delivering a speech on US-Taiwan relations at National Chengchi University, Stanton dismissed the student’s view that US arms sales to Taiwan had the potential of turning the nation into a regional troublemaker rather than a peacemaker.

“It [cross-strait relations] is a two-way street,” Stanton said.

Given the number of missiles China deploys along its coast against Taiwan and the fact that China has never withdrawn its threat to strike Taiwan should the government in Taipei declare independence, Taiwanese feel vulnerable, Stanton said.

“There hasn’t been much done by the mainland [to make Taiwanese feel less threatened]. I think much could be done to reassure [the] people of Taiwan,” Stanton said.

Stanton said the possibility of US arms sales to Taiwan turning Taiwan into a troublemaker was not the main issue.

“I think the principal issue is ... cross-strait relations and the sense of threat people here feel,” he said.

Stanton said US arms sales to Taiwan were in line with the Taiwan Relations Act, a policy going back 30 years that commits the US to supporting Taiwan’s self-defense needs.

“It is not necessarily a bad thing, particularly when the weapons don’t threaten the mainland [sic], and they are largely defensive,” Stanton said.

Earlier in the speech, Stanton said that Washington welcomed improved cross-strait ties and ­believed they would foster stability and make Taiwan a more attractive place for investment.

“It avoids the risk of miscalculation and potential conflict, which is the greatest concern we all have,” he said. “[However], Taiwanese people’s sense of security — politically, economically or militarily — is not as strong as it should be despite the warming ties.”

Stanton said Taiwan needed friends to feel secure and that the US would continue to serve as a dependable friend for Taiwan.

“It is clear to me since the [US President Barack] Obama administration came in ... That’s the clear direction we are going in our policy. I don’t foresee any fundamental changes,” he said, adding that the US would not waver in its commitment to providing sufficient self-defense capability to Taiwan, as stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act.

Stanton remained tight-lipped, however, on the sale of F-16C/D fighter jets, saying the issue was still under discussion.

Stanton said the US was very interested in pursuing trade and economic ties with Taiwan and both Taipei and Washington had been discussing a resumption of negotiations over a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.

“We have been in discussion already and are waiting for suggestions of when, where and what the agenda would be from Taiwan,” he said, adding that the US had proposed talks on areas such as electronic commerce.
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