For Immediate Release
Washington DC – July 31, 2008
Contact: (202) 547-3686
House Taiwan Caucus Urges President To Move Forward With Arms Sales To Taiwan – Calls Arms Freeze Violation Of Spirit Of TRA
In a letter dated July 31, 2008, co-chairs of the House Congressional Taiwan Caucus Reps. Shelley Berkley (D-NV) and Steve Chabot (R-OH) together with 23 other Members of the House of Representatives urged President Bush to move forward with arms sales to Taiwan in light of recent reports in the press that the Administration is putting a freeze on US arms sales to Taiwan.
The Representatives write: “Recently, we have been aware of a possible freeze on all foreign military sales to Taiwan. We believe that a freeze on foreign military sales to Taiwan violates the spirit of the Taiwan Relations Act.”
They continue: “The military and strategic imperatives for Taiwan are real and urgent, and if we fail to show the necessary resolve it would mean missing a significant opportunity to improve cross-strait peace and security – a vital U.S. interest.”
They conclude: “In our view, a secure and prosperous Taiwan requires the means to provide for its own self defense and the ability to engage its neighbors without fear of military intimidation. Taiwan’s ability to maintain its defense rests heavily upon its ability to acquire defense articles that are capable of deterring aggressive neighbors. […] Taiwan has a right to be “secure,” and that can only be guaranteed by an unambiguous and non-negotiable commitment from the United States to provide Taiwan with weapons systems consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act.”
FAPA President Bob Yang, PH.D. says: “The 1979 U.S. Taiwan Relations Act, which is the “Law of the Land” clearly stipulates that “It is the policy of the United States to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character.” Therefore, any such Arms Freeze is a clear violation of the Law and needs to be lifted immediately.”
On June 30, a similar letter was sent to President Bush by 14 Senators.
台灣連線呼籲布希總統勿違背台灣關係法精神，儘快解涷對台軍售
二十三位美國眾議員在台灣連線主席柏克麗與夏波領銜之下，於今日共同聯署致函白宮，呼籲布希總統儘快批准數項遭擱置的對台軍售案。
議員們在這封跨黨派的信函裡表示：「近日來，我們得知對台軍售似乎暫時停擺。我們認為涷結對台軍售有反台灣關係法的精神。」
議員們繼續表示：「台灣面臨著急迫的軍事與戰略需要，如果我們無法展現必要的決心，我們將喪失符合美國重大利益，改善兩岸和平與安全的大好機會。」
「我們認為，一個安全與繁榮的台灣需要有提供自我防衛的能力，並能夠在沒有外來武力恐嚇情況下與鄰國交往。而台灣維持自我防衛的能力端視它是否有能力取得得已嚇阻有野心鄰國的防衛性武器。……. 台灣有獲得『安全』的權利，這個權利完全仰賴著美國亳不模糊、不討價還價的承諾，提供台灣在符合台灣關係法下的相關武器系統。」
FAPA會長楊英育表示：「具有權威法律效力的台灣關係法清楚地陳述著『提供台灣防衛性的武器是美國政策』。很明顯的，涷結對台軍售違反這項法律，任何涷結應該立即中止。」
