Posted on 06/05/2007 7:03:32 AM PDT by pissant
EXCERPT: A China-Iran-Russia alliance against the West for control of the Eurasia heartland seems to be in the making.
Advocates of continued Most-Favored-Nation trade status for China claim that this is a ``normal'' part of U.S. international relations and that China hasn't done anything odd enough to be an exception.
China's friends seem to have adopted a rather jaded view of normality. Are thinly veiled threats to attack Los Angeles, like those made by China during the recent Taiwan crisis, ``normal'' diplomatic discourse?
Was Beijing's attempt to influence elections on Taiwan by military demonstrations and missile firings ``normal?''
Was the movement of two U.S. carrier battlegroups to positions of potential confrontation with China a ``normal'' gesture of friendly relations?
Or, do these actions indicate a strategic relationship with China more on a par with Cuba or North Korea, countries with which we do not extend MFN?
We didn't grant MFN to the Soviet Union either, when it was aiming missiles at U.S. cities.
As China ascends, America declines
University of Miami Professor June Teufel Dreyer said, at a recent Army War College conference, ``the leadership of the People's Republic of China is profoundly dissatisfied with the international status quo ... the Chinese leadership's goal is to replace the United States as the hegemonic power in the Asian region.
``It sees the (People's Republic of China) as an ascendant power while America, which has withdrawn from bases in the Philippines, downsized its military personnel, slashed its defense procurement programs and consigned its navy to a littoral role, is seen as declining.''
Another sign of American weakness
Renewing China's MFN status without a strategic quid pro quo would be another sign of relative American weakness.
This is not about trade.
The ``China Market'' has always been a myth.
Trade with China never exceeded three percent of total American commerce during the 19th century. In 1995, with a billion Chinese, trade with Beijing was still only about four percent of U.S. commerce -- or $11.7 billion.
China doesn't want imports; it wants investment and technology to build its own industrial base -- which will reshape the balance of power. As a 1994 GAO report stated: ``In the People's Republic of China, sophisticated manufacturing technologies acquired through cooperative programs with the West are being adapted for Chinese military use.''
U.S. firms have been encouraged to enter joint ventures and coproduction agreements that transfer capital and know-how to Chinese industry.
China has been buying from a variety of U.S. sources the machine tools used to manufacture cruise missile and nuclear warhead components. Much of this equipment was supposed to be for civilian use, but has ended up at military-owned factories.
Transnational firms are seeking profits from building the strategic industrial base that will support China's bid for regional dominance. U.S. policy, however, must be based on national interests, not private profits.
China's trade surplus with the U.S., a direct result of MFN, provides Beijing with hard currency needed to buy weapons. Much of China's trade is actually conducted by companies operated by the People's Liberation Army.
Last year, this surplus gave China $34 billion. This is not a petty sum.
For comparison, consider that for Fiscal Year 1997, the House of Representatives has authorized less than $39 billion for our country's own military procurement. China's trade surplus will surpass this figure by year's end.
Russia has been the main source for arms, with China pressing to build improved versions in their own factories. When Boris Yeltsin visited China in April, the resulting agreements were termed by both sides as a ``strategic partnership.''
Jacob Heilbrunn, writing in the May 27 issue of The New Republic concluded that ``Russia is moving to become the junior partner to China in its move against the West.''
China has also bought a variety of weapon systems from Western Europe.
Beijing, in turn, is passing on advanced military technology and weapons to Iran -- also a favorite customer of Russia.
Indeed, a tacit China-Iran-Russia alliance against the West for control of the Eurasia heartland, with its vast storehouse of oil and minerals, seems to be in the making.
Proponents of what the Clinton Administration calls ``engagement'' (but others could easily call appeasement) claim trade and economic growth will encourage democracy.
This has no historical basis.
When economic growth outstrips political reform, authoritarian regimes gain more capability and resources to pursue old feuds and new ambitions.
It should be remembered how this imbalance played out in Japan and Germany in the first half of this century.
Both of those states had fast-growing economies, but in the service of reactionary regimes bent on upsetting the international status quo. They produced two world wars.
This almost happened a third time with the Soviet Union. The Cold War was won not because the U.S. helped the U.S.S.R. become a success, but because, under economic pressure, the Soviets collapsed.
Most Favored Nation status for China must be denied. Not so much to pressure China into reform, but to deny China a source of economic power until reform takes place.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, a Republican from California, is chairman of the House National Security Subcommittee on Military Procurement. Readers may write to him at the U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515.
He wins the primary, the money will roll in. You know that. To win the primary, he has to appeal to primary conservative voters. He is making great strides.
Excellent find pissant.
Thank you!
Last time I posted a Hunter Article
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1808735/posts
Roadblocks for Mexican trucks in U.S. (Duncan Hunter - NAFTA Trucking Safety Act)
The Admin moderator put me on mute.
Sorry to hear that.
BUMP!
Duncan Hunter? Kuncinich of the Right?
How?
Make up? And take the spotlight away from Edwards?
That would be wrong.
It’s ok. The Duncan articles get up here. I just make sure they are posted elsewhere. :)
Divide and conquer :D
We know McCain is toast. As is Giuliani...neither man "knows it yet."
To my way of thinking, the only three potentially viable candidates comes down to Duncan, Thompson and maybe Romney. They all have things to commend them. Romney unfortunately has his social issues record which is not easily run from. Thompson has a short history, not as distinguished or productive as Hunter's [albeit there are others who dispute that as China watchers note here] but he clearly knows how to get media, and a good sound bite. A skill not to be overlooked, so long as his leadership capabilities...and strategic sensibilities... transcend that gift... And Duncan has shown he knows how to humbly serve. And has a cogency that truly makes for good media...but a gift which goes unremarked and unnoticed because he hasn't reckoned with a media intent on censoring him.
He also needs to expand his organization, and spend what it takes. He can't just wait for lightning to strike...he must "make a move" that flanks and scuttles the others. There may be time for that, but time is running out.
>>>>He also needs to expand his organization, and spend what it takes. He can’t just wait for lightning to strike...he must “make a move” that flanks and scuttles the others.
I would like to see Duncan Hunter use more of his resources. He has people signed up as volunteers. He should make someone from his inner campaign circle a point person between his campaign and volunteers. Evaluate what we have done to date. Give us instructions. Give us assigned goals or something. Right now, we are all just doing what we think we should be doing. Some aren’t doing a thing. I think a more streamlined group of tasks might be more affective.
Wasn’t Hunter one of the lone people fighting Clinton on his sell out of our west coast ports to the Chinese?
Hunter would likely get my vote.
Yes. He ramrodded a bill to block the port going to COSCO singlehandedly.
Hunter seems like he might be able to make a REAL difference. For that reason, he will never be allowed to take power. If he does some how fluke it off, and does not sell out, I fear something like the Kennedy assasination.
I think he would have quite good protection. He’s a favorite among the spook community.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.