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US law aims to enhance Taiwan ties

US President George W. Bush signed into law on Monday a foreign relations bill that contains provisions aimed at codifying improved US relations with Taiwan, but he cautioned that the most far reaching of those provisions do not alter Washington's "one China" policy.

The Foreign Relations Authorization Act for 2003 was passed by Congress last week. It funds foreign programs for the fiscal 2003 year that begins Oct. 1 and contains four provisions aimed specifically at better relations with Taiwan.

These provision were introduced last year by House International Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde and finally accepted by the Senate last week.

One major provision requires that Taiwan be treated as a major non-NATO ally when it comes to selling Taipei defense articles or services under the US' arms export control laws and the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

By gaining that designation, Taiwan joins countries such as Australia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Jordan and Argentina in receiving preferential treatment.

Joining that group affords Taiwan better treatment than China when it comes to sales of such items as high-powered computers, sensitive materials and dual-use items with both military and industrial applications.

In an official statement he made when signing the legislation, Bush made a point of qualifying his approval of Section 1206 of the bill, which contains the wording granting Taiwan "non-NATO ally" status.

"Section 1206 could be misconstrued to imply a change in the `one China' policy of the United States when, in fact, that US policy remains unchanged," Bush said.

But he made clear that his objection was on constitutional and procedural grounds.

"To the extent that this section could be read to purport to change United States policy, it impermissibly interferes with the president's constitutional authority to conduct the nation's foreign affairs," he said.

Bush made no comments on other key provisions of the law that are favorable to Taiwan.

The new law officially recognizes Taiwan as "a mature democracy that fully respects human rights," and says US policy should be that "any resolution of the Taiwan Strait issue must be peaceful and include the assent of the people of Taiwan." That section is a"sense of the Congress" provision and therefore is non-binding.

The law also expresses the "sense of the Congress" that the US flag should be displayed at the American Institute in Taiwan and at the residence of the AIT director "in the same manner as United States embassies, consulates and official residences throughout the world."

The law also requires the president to consult with Congress in the sale of weapons and military services to Taiwan.

It also contains a provision authorizing the sale of four Kidd-class destroyers to Taipei.
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