Posted on 09/17/2007 4:53:47 PM PDT by em2vn
A US business group accused the Bush administration Friday of jeopardizing Taiwan's security by stalling a potential $4.9 billion deal for 66 advanced Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighter jets.
In recent weeks, the administration has heaped pressure on President Chen Shui-bian to abort a planned referendum on United Nations membership in the name of Taiwan.
As part of its drive to derail what it deems a provocation to Beijing, U.S. officials have told Taipei to delay formal efforts to acquire the F-16C/Ds, said Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council.
"This is unprecedented in any bilateral U.S. security relationship," Hammond-Chambers said in a telephone interview. "Depriving Taiwan of the arms it needs is inherently destabilizing."
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Bttt
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