-Caveat Lector- http://www.smh.com.au/news/9908/20/pageone Sydney Morning Herald Friday, August 20, 1999 China's nuclear threat to US By DAVID LAGUE, Herald Correspondent in Beijing China warned yesterday that it was ready to fight over Taiwan and that its nuclear weapons could "deal with" aircraft carriers if the United States dared to interfere. A hard-hitting editorial in the official Global Times newspaper, a subsidiary of the Communist Party mouthpiece, the People's Daily, said the US and other Western countries were mistaken if they believed China lacked the ability or will to use force in a dispute over Taiwan. "If the US makes the wrong calculation on its abacus and goes on interfering in China's domestic affairs, it will eventually draw fire against itself," it said. China has launched a furious propaganda barrage and a campaign of psychological warfare since Taiwan's President Lee Teng-hui called on July 9 for the two sides to deal with each other on a "state-to-state" basis, a move Beijing interpreted as a step toward independence. The ruling Communist Party in Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has threatened to use force if it declares independence. Despite increasingly bellicose threats from the mainland, some analysts believe the People's Liberation Army lacks the means to make any serious challenge to Taiwan, particularly if the US was drawn into any conflict. They also argue that the economic and diplomatic costs to China of aggression across the Taiwan Strait would dramatically outweigh any gains. But the Global Times editorial said this reasoning was dangerously flawed and it reminded the US that it had failed to subdue China in the Korean and Vietnam wars. "We will not choose to use force until the last moment but China will not retreat because of external forces interference," the paper said. "Theoretically, military power includes hardware and software. As to hardware, China's neutron bomb can deal with aircraft carriers easily and medium- and short-range missiles will be useful too." The paper also said the US would be disadvantaged by long supply lines. In a move likely to further infuriate Beijing, Mr Lee has added his voice to calls for Taiwan to be included under a proposed anti-missile defence shield that the US and Tokyo this week agreed to begin developing. Mr Lee said the system "not only responds to current needs but, even more, it fulfils the nation's long-term development interests", according to a statement released in Taipei on Wednesday after a senior officials' meeting. Senior Chinese leaders have already condemned suggestions that Taiwan be included in any anti-missile defence system as interference in China's internal affairs. Experts believe it could take 10 years to develop and field the defence system but it would be symbolically important for Taiwan and reinforce fears in Beijing that peaceful reunification remains a long-term prospect if it happens at all. Senior US officials have said that Taiwan has yet to make a formal request to be included in the system. PLA missiles based in southern China opposite Taiwan could be one of the major threats facing the island if Beijing did decide that a military strike was needed to rein in Taipei. This material is subject to copyright and any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited. ================================================================= Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, YHVH, TZEVAOT FROM THE DESK OF: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> *Mike Spitzer* <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ~~~~~~~~ <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The Best Way To Destroy Enemies Is To Change Them To Friends Shalom, A Salaam Aleikum, and to all, A Good Day. ================================================================= 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. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== 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
