-Caveat Lector- July 26, 1999 China, US Find Common Ground In Taiwan Statehood Furore By Roberto Coloma The political storm set off by Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui's suggestion of statehood has given Washington and Beijing common ground to mend frayed ties, diplomats and analysts said Monday. US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, speaking after talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan in Singapore, indirectly chided the Taiwanese leader on Sunday, saying clarifications issued so far were inadequate. Tang branded Lee a "troublemaker" and pressed Washington to affirm its one-China policy. Stepping up the rhetoric on Monday, Tang obliquely warned of "war and conflict" should foreign forces support Taiwan's separation. The two ministers were in Singapore for a security forum and other meetings under the auspices of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). US-China relations hit a fresh low in May after US-led NATO forces bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during the Kosovo campaign in what Washington called an accident. Three Chinese nationals were killed, triggering popular outrage in China. But in recent weeks, Chinese wrath has shifted to Lee's suggestion that Taiwan-China relations be seen as "special state-to-state" ties. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province. Washington is officially committed to a one-China policy recognizing only Beijing, while maintaining close links with Taipei. "China expects the US to come down decisively against the policy of two Chinas," Bob Broadfoot, managing director of the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd., told AFP. "Previously the US policy was of intentional ambiguity. They wouldn't commit themselves either way, which kept both parties in check, but when one party moved in a direction that would push toward two Chinas, the US has to be less ambiguous," he said. "That helps China and the US at least find some common ground to prevent a deterioration in their relations," he said. Broadfoot said domestic factors may have been at play, noting Lee's remarks could be designed to undercut the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is known for taking a stronger line on independence than the ruling Kuomintang, ahead of next year's presidential election. A senior aide accompanying Albright in Singapore said China was worried people in Taiwan who support something other than the one-China policy "might take heart from elements in the US who encourage that, and they're very clear that they don't want the administration to be sending the wrong signals." "I think it's quite possible that they will come up with some ways, additional formulations of explaining their positions. I think that is what the secretary (Albright) was getting at. In other words, this is a work still in progress rather than just status quo." Asked whether he thought Chinese anger at the embassy bombing had amplified their reaction to the Taiwan statehood issue, the aide said: "I think it's almost the reverse. I think their anger about the bombing incident is decreasing as they start focusing on Taiwan and one-China issues." US envoy Richard Bush on Sunday wrapped up a four-day visit to Taiwan during which he sought a clarification from Lee and other Taiwanese officials. Hsu Ke-sheng, vice chairman of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, told reporters in Taipei on Monday that Washington would have a better understanding of Taipei's stance "after Bush brought back the message." Joseph Wu, professor at the Institute of International Relations at the National Chengchi University, said Albright had not been updated about Taipei's position when she chided Taiwan. "Washington is expected to have a formal response at a later date after the message Bush brought back is scrutinized," Wu said. The Hong Kong Standard said "it is clear that Washington's measured response to the Taiwan crisis had a lot to do with the easing of tensions." ((c) 1999 Agence France Presse) http://www.insidechina.com/features.php3?id=81358 Folks, Keep your eye on that "formal response". Bard Make sure you pay a Visit to "Alex Jones Presents" InfoWars http://www.infowars.com Visit me at: The Center for Exposing Corruption in the Federal Government http://www.xld.com/public/center/center.htm Federal Government defined: ....a benefit/subsidy protection racket! DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. 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