Article

2003-12-09 East Asia

Bush: No support for Taiwanese independence

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Dar 2003-12-09 12:48:00 PM|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Wasn't Schroeder just whacked here days ago for saying pretty much the same thing?

Posted by True German Ally 2003-12-9 3:58:17 PM|| 2003-12-9 3:58:17 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 TGA--Yes, he was. I'm not happy about Bush saying the same thing either. Taiwan deserves better.

Posted by Dar 2003-12-9 4:02:18 PM|| 2003-12-9 4:02:18 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 I forgot to add "rightfully whacked". I understand that nobody wants to spill water (or blood) over the issue but as long as China is not a democracy and Taiwan is and has nuclear missiles pointed at it, "One China" means "One Non Democratic China". And that's not a policy a US president should back.

Posted by True German Ally 2003-12-9 4:59:30 PM|| 2003-12-9 4:59:30 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 I stick by my prediction: After the 2004 elections, Taiwan will hold a referendum and vote for independence. Is this so hard for the world to accept? There are a lot of Chinese in this world and cetainly there is room for two Chinas.

Posted by Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2003-12-9 5:35:51 PM|| 2003-12-9 5:35:51 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 I think the Bush policy is to support reunification, but in the sweet by-and-by. Paying lip service while quietly blocking any actual moves in that direction leaves resources free for other things. In the meantime, the old guard in mainland China has more time to die off. If we do it right, their grandchildren will die of old age...

Posted by Fred 2003-12-9 5:36:33 PM|| 2003-12-9 5:36:33 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 Correct, TGA, and I'm hoping that Bush is using the preferred definition of diplomacy -- the ability to say "nice doggie" while looking for a big rock. There ya go, Mr. Hua, I said some soothing words, now then, about your vassel state in the northeast, shall you reduce them to worm food or shall we make some glass?

Posted by Steve White 2003-12-9 6:47:06 PM|| 2003-12-9 6:47:06 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Well I guess everybody does so... even the Germans. Say "One China", get the 3 billion dollar contract for Siemens...

I think we can live with the status quo... but a Chinese guarantee that it would never try to change that status quo by force would help.

Posted by True German Ally 2003-12-9 7:31:28 PM|| 2003-12-9 7:31:28 PM|| Front Page Top

07:32 Mark
17:38 Sharon in NYC
22:25 john
00:32 Lucky
00:21 Ned
23:57 Les Nessman
23:54 Uncle Joe
23:54 Fred
23:53 CrazyFool
23:52 Cheddarhead
23:08 Barbara Skolaut
22:50 NotMikeMoore
22:50 NotMikeMoore
22:45 NotMikeMoore
22:42 NotMikeMoore
22:20 NotMikeMoore
22:16 NotMikeMoore
22:11 Frank G
22:06 Stephen
22:05 NotMikeMoore
21:58 Pappy
21:46 Carl in NH
21:46 NotMikeMoore
21:43 Pappy