For Immediate Release
Washington DC – February 25, 2005
Contact: (202) 547-3686
U.S. Representative Urges DOD To Sell Aegis To Taiwan In Light Of China’s Anti Secession Law Plans
In a letter dated February 25, Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) urges the US Department of Defense to voice its sell Aegis to Taiwan in light of China’s recent announcements of its intentions to pass an anti-secession law.
Rep. Andrews writes: “The sale of AEGIS to Taiwan would send a clear and direct message to China, showing that the United States will back the democratic nation and will not accept any type of military action as a form of resolution between the two countries. I believe that this action can, and will, be seen by China as a directive that it approach Taiwan in a civil and non-threatening manner.”
The Congressman adds: “The United States has, through passage of the Taiwan Relations Act, pledged to protect Taiwan from any threat of force, and advocate for the self-determination of its people. The sale of the AEGIS missile defense system is clearly in line with this pledge, and therefore should be pursued as soon as possible.”
He concludes: “I ask that you […] advise of any steps that have been taken to advance this crucial sale.”
FAPA President Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D. states: “Obviously, the recent announcements by the PRC that it will enact its Anti-Secession Law at the beginning of March has made people think about how to best safeguard Taiwan’s freedom and democracy. Momentum for the Anti “Anti Secession Law” continuous to grow. This latest letter is but a manifestation of this movement.”
Wu adds: “ If there is any time that Taiwan needs to show to the United States that it is willing to contribute to Taiwan’s defense, the time is now. We therefore hope and expect that the Legislative Yuan will soon pass its special arms budget.”
為制衡中國反分裂國家法，美眾議員致函國防部政策次長費斯，支持軍售台灣神盾級驅逐艦
為了抗議中國的反分裂國家法嚴重威脅到台灣安全，眾議員安德魯斯特於今日（25日）致函國防部政策次長費斯，表達他支持出售台灣神盾級驅逐艦以及相關技術的轉移。
安德魯斯議員表示：「透過台灣關係法，美國信守確保台灣不受到武力威脅以及提倡人民自決權的承諾。神盾級飛彈系統的出售，很明顯地與這個承諾相呼應，因此應該儘快實行。」
安德魯斯議員接著表示：「近日來，中國宣佈有意通過反分裂國家法，此法基本上表示，如果台灣膽敢宣佈獨立，中國將出兵攻打台灣。出售神盾級系統給台灣，將傳達一個清楚且直接的訊息給中國，表示美國將會支持民主國家（台灣），而不會接受武力為解決兩國之間的任何方式。我相信，中國將視這個舉動為一個指令，瞭解到與台灣接觸應該是文明而且不具威脅的。」
安德魯斯議員在信尾再度重申他支持出售台灣神盾級驅逐艦，以確保美國的民主盟友－台灣能夠抵抗中國的軍事攻擊。他並要求國防部給予任何可以使這個軍售案有進一步發展的建議。
FAPA會長吳明基表示：「在反分裂國家法即將於近日通過之際，美國國會的友台議員們也越來越替台灣安全擔憂。安德魯斯議員的這封信更直接呼籲美國政府探取因應的具體措施，以出售神盾級驅逐艦來展現美國對於中國欲以武力解決台海爭端的嚴重不滿。」
吳明基接著表示：「神盾級驅逐艦是台灣往後能否加入美日區域安保體系的最好指標，由於台灣遲遲無法通過四年前布希總統即批淮的對台軍售，導致美國政府認為台灣沒有自我防衛的意願。如今，扁宋會已經正式結束，軍售預算的通過似乎乍現曙光。現在就端看台灣立院有沒有誠意了。」
