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POLITICS: Taiwan Said Set to Buy $15 Billion of U.S. Arms

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posted on Sep, 16 2004 @ 01:04 AM
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Taiwans parliament seems set to approve about $15 Billion dollars worth of arms purchases with the United States (US). Recent US warnings regarding the buildup of Chinese forces appear to have carried weight with the Taiwanese legislators. Prior to the approval the Taiwanese lawmakers recieved briefings from the Pentagon in Hawaii and other bases in the area. The chairman of the Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council, Joseph Wu, indicated that the US was helpfull in getting the deal through the Legislative Yuan. He also indicated that in an attempt to deter Chinese agression, Taiwan was persuing security relationships with other nations in the area like japan.
 



story.news.yahoo.com
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Taiwan's lawmakers are expected to give their long-delayed approval next month to a special budget for U.S. weapons purchases worth as much as $15 billion, Taiwan's point man on China policy said on Wednesday.

Taiwan's parliament appears to have been persuaded partly by U.S. warnings of a growing military threat from China, said Joseph Wu, chairman of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council.

Briefings for lawmakers, including opposition figures who control the legislature, have taken place at the Pentagon; in Hawaii, where the U.S. Pacific Command is based; and at key military installations, Wu told an audience at the Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based research group.

"The U.S. government understands the difficulties of Taiwan's getting its budget through the Legislative Yuan (parliament)," he said. "And it's quite helpful in dealing with the situation together with the Taiwan government."

As part of its effort to forestall any Chinese military attack, Wu said Taiwan was also trying to increase "regional security exchanges, especially with Japan."




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China has strongly opposed any aid to Taiwan which it considers part of its country. President Bush initaly offered to sell Taiwan P-3 Orion Sub Hunters and the diesel electric submarines back in 2001. The deal if approved includes 4.3 billion for Patriot Advanced-Capability 3 missile defenses, $12.3 billion for eight diesel-electric submarines and $1.6 billion for 12 P-3C Orion submarine-hunting aircraft. The PAC-3 is of great importance to Taiwan as there are indications that China is building up its surface to surface batteries along the Taiwan Straight. The PAC-3 would give them a limited defence against a missile attack. This deal will require another nation to build the submarines as the US no longer builds that type. A retired US Admiral who has experience in the area indicated that while Bejing will not be happy, and would spark protests, the arms deal should not dramaticaly raise tensions between Taiwan and China.


Related News Links:
www.globalsecurity.org
www.globalsecurity.org

Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
U.S. vs. China
Reported: US Will sell Taiwan Aegis Destroyers
Beijing warns US on Taiwan arms



posted on Sep, 16 2004 @ 09:41 AM
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What the heck is that admiral talking about? of course selling $15 BILLION dollars worth of military equipment is gonna make China very angry. China already stated America should keep out of the Taiwan issue.



posted on Sep, 16 2004 @ 09:58 AM
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Great, then they can seel them to the highest bidder. YAY.. Thats what we need.


NO one can be trusted.



posted on Sep, 16 2004 @ 11:43 AM
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sell them, maybe.. what if they turned around and used them against us ?




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