Taiwan's chief representative in Washington broadened the case for new US arms sales to his country, saying on Monday that Taipei needed them to defend US interests in Asia, as well as itself.
Chen Chien-jen (
"In having these [US] weapons we're not merely defending ourselves, we're defending the interests of countries in East Asia and we are in a sense defending the interests of the US and we are in a sense defending freedom, democracy and human rights," the envoy said.
"I'm talking about universal values which all of us would like to see promoted and preserved," he said.
Chen is the representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US. But he is effectively Taiwan's ambassador to Washington.
Bush, in office since January, is to decide this month on Taiwan's latest annual request to buy US-made weapons.
The decision, now complicated further by the weekend collision of a US spy plane and a Chinese fighter jet, could have a profound effect on Sino-US relations.
Chen refused go into detail about Taiwan's arms request. But he insisted Bush had made no decision and it was unclear when one would be forthcoming.
US sources have said Taiwan is seeking a robust arms package that includes advanced destroyers with a radar system known as AEGIS, the Army's advanced Patriot anti-missile system known as PAC-3 and diesel submarines.
Beijing has objected strongly to AEGIS, a potential precursor to a missile defense system.
Analysts predict Bush will defer a decision on AEGIS or make a sale conditional on future Chinese behavior.
Also under consideration is selling Taiwan four Kidd-class destroyers as an alternative to the AEGIS, or as stopgap until the AEGIS-equipped ships come on line in about eight years.
Chen said Taiwan's arsenal is insufficient given that China has acquired new destroyers and fighters and continues to deploy short and medium-range missiles aimed at Taiwan that now number 300 and are expected to increase by 50 per year.
China also plans to increase its defense budget by more than 17 percent. In light of this, Chen said, "We do need some additional equipment ... defend ourselves against possible threat or attack from the other side."
The envoy said, however, it was "still too early to say" if Taiwan would pursue a US theater missile defense system.
Chen expressed satisfaction with the new US Republican leadership, saying the administration has been "treating us pretty well."
"What I feel good about this administration is that its position is clear and firm so that there won't be misunderstanding of the positions of the United States whether it's vis-a-vis Korea or vis-a-vis China," he said.
"I think that's extremely important. In a very complicated world you have to let your friends and foes alike know what is your position," he said.
Chen added, "As far as [the] cross-strait relationship is concerned, I tend to believe that this administration is having a firmer and clearer position."
As one sign of the improving ties, Chen said he hoped the Bush team would accord "better treatment" to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), allowing him to hold a meeting when he arrives in the US in May en route to Latin America.
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