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Risky kowtow to China
The Washington Times ^ | November 3, 2004 | Ted Galen Carpenter

Posted on 11/03/2004 2:35:18 PM PST by neverdem


The Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com

Risky kowtow to China

By Ted Galen Carpenter
Published November 3, 2004

Secretary of State Colin Powell astonished observers in both East Asia and the United States Oct. 25 with extraordinarily candid comments on the Taiwan issue. His statements moved U.S. policy closer than ever before to Beijing's position that Taiwan must reunify with the mainland -- an especially surprising step from a conservative Republican administration.


    In an interview on CNN International during his trip to East Asia, Mr. Powell explicitly embraced the goal of eventual reunification, which, he said, "all parties are seeking." His statement ignores the wishes of millions of Taiwanese who have no interest in reunification and regard the island as a separate society and independent state. Moreover, never before had Washington taken a public stand on the reunification issue.


    Mr. Powell offered even more startlingly pro-Beijing comments in an interview with Hong Kong's Phoenix Television. He stressed that Washington had made it clear to all parties "that the United States does not support independence for Taiwan. It would be inconsistent with our One China Policy." He then made that point even more explicit: "There is only one China. Taiwan is not independent. It does not enjoy sovereignty as a nation." Lest anyone still miss the point, he added, "Independence movements or those who speak out for independence movements in Taiwan will find no support from the United States."


    Predictably, the People's Republic of China is quite pleased with Mr. Powell's rejection of any possible outcome other than reunification. Just as predictably, the Taiwanese government regards his comments as a betrayal.


(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: china; northkorea; taiwan
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1 posted on 11/03/2004 2:35:19 PM PST by neverdem
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To: neverdem

Just say no to China!!!!!


2 posted on 11/03/2004 2:41:59 PM PST by GregB (Broken Glass Republican!!!!!!!!)
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To: neverdem

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!


3 posted on 11/03/2004 2:45:14 PM PST by OHelix
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To: neutrino; ninenot

ping


4 posted on 11/03/2004 3:05:26 PM PST by raybbr
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To: neverdem

We need the Chinese to keep buying T-Bills to keep paying for the Excellent Adventure in Iraq. A little kiss-@$$ will keep the yuan flowing!


5 posted on 11/03/2004 3:06:12 PM PST by Peter vE (Ceterum censeo: delenda est Carthago.)
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To: neverdem

Backroom deal with China, you get taiwan, but, you've got to get a handle on those pesky N. Koreans.


6 posted on 11/03/2004 3:14:31 PM PST by krogers58
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To: neverdem
Perhaps Colin Powell is just adopting the view of Samuel P. Huntington:

http://www.alamut.com/subj/economics/misc/clash.html

Huntington says you never meddle in another civilization's backyard.
7 posted on 11/03/2004 3:18:41 PM PST by Woodworker
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To: neverdem
Perhaps Colin Powell is just adopting the view of Samuel P. Huntington:

http://www.alamut.com/subj/economics/misc/clash.html

Huntington says you never meddle in another civilization's backyard.
8 posted on 11/03/2004 3:19:30 PM PST by Woodworker
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To: neverdem; dennisw; Cachelot; Yehuda; Nix 2; veronica; Catspaw; knighthawk; Alouette; Optimist; ...

This is an outrage. Can you imagine how much perfidious statements like Powell's embolden Red China!!?? We need to lobby our House and Senate leaders to put pressure on Powell/Bush Aministration to back off this immoral continuation of our Leftist/pro-Communist "One China" policy. No wonder so many countries who count themselves amongst our friends don't trust the US. What is Bush's problem? How could any American president push a free country into the arms of the Communists!!!??? Let's say Bush gets his way and Taiwan in enveloped by Red China...the world will be less free, not more. This flies in the face of Bush's doctrine to spread freedom around the world. Call your local Congressmen and Senators, register your dissent, and demand that the oppose the Bush Administration's "One China" policy while there's still time!!! They are acting just like the Socialist wing of the Democratic Party on this one.


9 posted on 11/03/2004 3:59:28 PM PST by TapTheSource
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To: TapTheSource

Good time to start cleaning the State Department.


10 posted on 11/03/2004 4:17:46 PM PST by Just mythoughts
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To: neverdem

THANKS. GOOD PTS.


11 posted on 11/03/2004 4:28:37 PM PST by Quix (PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! PRAY IN THE SPIRIT! SPEAK UP IN WALMART LINES! INFLUENCE ALL YOU CAN FOR GOOD!)
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To: Just mythoughts

"Good time to start cleaning the State Department."

Problem is, the Bush himself seems to be going along with our immoral "One China" policy. We need to put pressure on Congress to denounce this foolhearty policy. It is a fight that needs to take place between Republicans...and the sooner the better.


12 posted on 11/03/2004 4:52:52 PM PST by TapTheSource
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To: TapTheSource
Powell is a loose cannon. He promotes his own opinion as the policy of the U.S. Why he was placed in that position is still a mystery to me.

Time for a house cleaning.

13 posted on 11/03/2004 4:54:05 PM PST by editor-surveyor (The Lord has given us President Bush; let's now turn this nation back to him)
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To: neverdem

From the post: "Taiwanese who have no interest in reunification and regard the island as a separate society and independent state."

In trying to understand the two sides - Why does the leader of Taiwan feel the need to speak out "now" - these are not the best of times -

One thought - politics - was it said to impress his people - if so, I wonder if the winning of their support will be worth the price that the opening of the gate might bring -

So many views of China itself - but one is -

Their attitude seems to be one of - what they want - they get - no one stands in their way now -

America's view - we sometimes let things happen when we want to achieve a goal - Do we go to far at times - and then face a greater danger as a result. The important question now - considering all the moves: What would we do if China did make a move on Taiwan - ? (I hope we have plans and have thought things out)

Questions - (I feel the need to ask - and nothing more is meant - because we are at war - and the people need to know the truth about the military)

Are we just showing weakness or is the weakness real - ? I'm wondering just how much damage did Clinton do to our forces - ? Are the statements by Rum. the truth (a new way of doing things) or is this a cover -

Lately, not only President Bush - but all of Congress is letting China do everything and anything - Someone said it was because of PACs -

No matter the reason - What price will we ultimately pay? That is the question the people should be asking and all of our Reps. should answer - Have they looked ahead - to make sure there is no unforeseen consequences - The track record so far has not been good - And it has been thrown back in America's face -

With concerns on China - be nice to know - Where exactly is this nation headed -


14 posted on 11/03/2004 4:54:23 PM PST by Pastnowfuturealpha
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To: TapTheSource
U.S., wary of China, outlines Asia buildup 4/25/02

US planning to boost troop levels in S-E Asia 5/3/03

US plans huge show of force in Pacific: Seven aircraft carriers to move within striking distance of China; Taiwan forces slated to join in drill 7/1/04

In an exercise codenamed Operation Summer Pulse 04, it is expected to arrange for an unprecedented seven aircraft carrier strike groups (CSGs) to rendezvous in waters a safe distance away from the Chinese coastline - but still within striking distance - after mid-July. This will be the first time in US naval history that it sends seven of its 12 CSGs to just one region. . .The implications for China are grave. According to Kanwa Defence News, which specialises in Chinese military matters, Beijing can cope with just one CSG currently. 'But in five to 10 years, it can certainly take on seven,' said Mr Chang Hong-yi, head of Kanwa, in an interview with The Straits Times. 'China's military potential is enormous and in terms of military technology, the gap with the US is closing fast,' he added. However, a Chinese military source who declined to be identified is more sanguine. 'Even now, China can easily take on two CSGs,' he said but conceded that there was no way it could face seven all at the same time. This means that if China has to wage war over Taiwan, it has to be able to land and seize control of the island within the first 30 days. Otherwise, under the FRP, six CSGs may well arrive to join in the battle. 'All this leaves China with no choice but to start and end the war with lightning speed,' said the source. Politically, Summer Pulse is likely to be seen by many Chinese as naked intimidation. 'This is gunboat diplomacy in the 21st century,' the source remarked,

15 posted on 11/03/2004 4:55:16 PM PST by Fedora
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To: editor-surveyor

He'll be gone soon.
He was always a DC insider, and now there is no room for him.


16 posted on 11/03/2004 4:56:46 PM PST by mabelkitty (Blackwell for Governor in 2006!!!)
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To: krogers58
"Backroom deal with China, you get taiwan, but, you've got to get a handle on those pesky N. Koreans"

Bad deal!

Like trading a Corvette for an old VW bus with a burned #3 exhaust valve.

17 posted on 11/03/2004 4:57:04 PM PST by editor-surveyor (The Lord has given us President Bush; let's now turn this nation back to him)
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To: Fedora

Thanks for the links, Fedora. How dare the Bush administration embolden Red China's designs on Taiwan. OK, we all helped him win, now we need to hold his feet to the fire where appropriate. Let's get on this one. Write to your congressman and senators and demand that this wrongheaded "One China" policy be stopped in its tracks.


18 posted on 11/03/2004 4:58:33 PM PST by TapTheSource
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To: TapTheSource
"Good time to start cleaning the State Department."

"Problem is, the Bush himself seems to be going along with our immoral "One China" policy. We need to put pressure on Congress to denounce this foolhearty policy. It is a fight that needs to take place between Republicans...and the sooner the better. "


Not necessarily so. People at this level say things that are far above our heads. Note we are trying to get N.Korea to give up nukes pointed at US. Now China may require us to tell Taiwan, to cool its heels.

There is no way the US will not intervene if China makes an overt act militarily towards Taiwan. However, we are a bit extended right now and not especially a good time to be stirring up anybody on the eastern front, many would love to take advantage.
19 posted on 11/03/2004 4:59:14 PM PST by Just mythoughts
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To: Just mythoughts

"Note we are trying to get N.Korea to give up nukes pointed at US. Now China may require us to tell Taiwan, to cool its heels."

Red China, Russia and N. Korea are playing us for fools...just like the Soviets and the Cuban Communists played us for fools during the Cuban Missile Crisis.


20 posted on 11/03/2004 5:01:48 PM PST by TapTheSource
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