-Caveat Lector- Taiwan tests against Chinese attack Taiwan is seeking new hi-tech weapons from the US Thousands of Taiwanese troops have been carrying out a live-firing exercise before the world's media, repelling a simulated invasion by the Chinese along the island's southern coast. The military exercise comes at a critical juncture in relations between the United States and China - Washington is soon to make a decision on arms sales to Taiwan, while Beijing refuses to hand over a US surveillance plane forced down in China on 1 April. The BBC correspondent in Taiwan, Damian Grammaticas, says the military manoeuvres are a reminder that Taiwan still feels threatened by China and says it needs advanced American weapons to defend itself. Beijing considers Taiwan to be a renegade province. Simulated invasion On Haiko beach in southern Taiwan, combined army, navy and air forces fought off a simulated Chinese landing. An artillery barrage pounded targets in the sea. Taiwanese-made missiles were launched from land batteries and helicopters fired Hellfire missiles bought from the US. The exercises come at a sensitive time in US-China relations The show of firepower was part of a series of exercises that include simulated computer battles and cyber-warfare tests. Similar war games last year were scaled down for fear of provoking China. These exercises were planned months ago, but they come as tensions have risen between Washington and Beijing over the recent spy plane incident and an imminent US arms sale to Taiwan. Decision due The BBC's Paul Reynolds in Washington says that President George W Bush is considering a recommendation from officials that the US should not sell advanced destroyers to Taiwan. Mr Bush is expected to announce his decision next week. President Bush faces a tough choice on weapons sales Senior defence officials are reported to have said that Taiwan should not at the moment be given the four destroyers equipped with the Aegis anti-aircraft and anti-missile system, but that it should have less sophisticated destroyers instead. The advice is expected to be taken up by Mr Bush's national security advisers. The Aegis destroyers are the most advanced weapons on Taiwan's list and their sale has been strongly opposed by the Chinese Government. The defence officials reportedly also oppose the provision to Taiwan of the latest American land-based missile defence system known as PAC-3. US balancing act The issue of whether Taiwan should get eight to 10 diesel-powered submarines has been left open. Under a 1979 law, the United States is committed to providing Taiwan with weapons for sufficient self-defence. There is an annual procedure to examine which systems should be made available. Washington needs to balance meeting its commitments to Taiwan without unduly upsetting Beijing. With the two countries still at loggerheads over the US spy plane Beijing is holding, this year's balancing act is proving particularly difficult. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ foot tapping mentalism for all ages http://www.mp3.com/theehumancannonball <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
