-Caveat Lector- http://www.worldnetdaily.com/bluesky_doggett/19990716_xcjdo_will_ameri.shtml Will America defend Taiwan? By John Doggett ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- When NATO ended its war against Yugoslavia, Bill Clinton said that NATO reserved the right to go anywhere in Europe or Africa to defend democratic or humanitarian interests. Well, Bill might get his wish much sooner than he thought. Because of comments that Taiwan's President made last weekend, America's military might have to go toe-to-toe with the People's Liberation Army of Communist China. It is election time in Taiwan. During an interview with a German radio station, President Lee Teng-hui said that "We have redefined cross-strait ties as nation to nation, or at least as special nation to nation." This is not the first time that Lee has pushed the envelope. During the 1996 elections, the Communists threatened to nuke Los Angeles if the U.S. intervened in Taiwan. In fact, China mobilized troops and fired nuclear capable missiles across Taiwan in an attempt to influence democratic elections for president in Taiwan. The United States, in response, sent two aircraft carrier battle groups to the Straits of Taiwan in the strongest show of American naval power in that region since the Vietnam War. Now, four years later, after China has shown its disregard for human rights, religious freedom in Mainland China and democracy in Hong Kong, the Taiwanese threat is much more serious. President Lee's comments could not have come at a worst time for the Clinton administration. The Chinese Communists likely see President Lee's act as another example of America's expanding political and military power. Administration representatives are scheduled to meet with the Communists to talk about reparations for NATO's "mistaken" bombing of their Belgrade embassy. They also have to get the Communists to agree to compensate us for damage that Chinese citizens did to America's Beijing embassy. Beijing's official position has been that they cannot allow Taiwan to achieve full independence. The Communists have repeatedly said that they would use force, if necessary, to prevent Taiwan from becoming fully independent. That is where it gets interesting for Clinton and America. Because according to the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States is, by law, committed to defend the island against attack by China or any other aggressor. The Clinton Administration is trying to downplay the seriousness of this issue. However, ever since NATO attacked Yugoslavia over Kosovo, expectations have risen about America's willingness to use its military might to enforce a new "Manifest Destiny" around the world. Clinton's words about the long reach of NATO's power may have been bravado, but they are already coming back to haunt the rest of America. China is on a decade long march to turn its military into a high-tech first world power. They have invested billions in new technology -- legally and illegally obtained -- and have set the end of the next decade for full military parity with the United States. The People's Liberation Army will lose much of its clout and political muscle if it is unable to prevent Taiwan from pulling away due to America's military might. As you read this column, the BBC reports that "Taiwanese defense forces have heightened combat alertness on the frontline Kinmen island in case of possible invasion by China." NATO's decision to attack Yugoslavia over Kosovo has opened up a Pandora's box that we will ask our military people to close. In Yugoslavia, NATO's attacks represented a broad stretch of its treaty to protect Western European democracies. In Taiwan, no stretch is necessary. We are bound, by treaty, to protect Taiwan. Full stop. Given the Clinton administration's close ties to the Communist Chinese, will they be as willing to defend Taiwan as they were willing to attack Serbia? Once again, America's credibility depends upon whether we can trust Bill Clinton to say what he means and mean what he says. What Clinton does about Taiwan will determine the future value of all of America's treaties. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- John Doggett is a management consultant, lawyer, and business school professor who lives in Austin, Texas. Talkers Magazine has selected John as one of the 100 Most Influential Radio Talk Show Hosts in America. Headway Magazine has selected John as one of the 20 Most Influential Black Conservatives in America. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! 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