Does further recognition of Taiwan contribute to regional security?

That’s what the House of Representatives alleges, having yesterday passed by unanimous voice vote a resolution calling for the abolition of obstacles to Taiwanese government visits to Washington.  According to the resolution, lifting the travel restrictions “will help bring a United States friend and ally out of its isolation, which will be beneficial to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.”  Really?

This just in: State NOT stupid!

From State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey’s daily press briefing today:

QUESTION: Thank-you, Tom. Taiwan’s leader Chen Shui-bian vowed yesterday to dramatically amend the constitution to reflect what he says the changes in Taiwan’s status — the proposed amendments making sure the definition of Taiwan’s territory and official name. I’m just wondering is the U.S. concernedby Chen’s move to unilaterally change the status quo.

MR. CASEY: Well, first of all, let me just reiterate that the United States does not support independence for Taiwan and we continue to be opposed to unilateral changes in the status quo by either side. We also take very seriously President Chen’s repeated commitments not to permit the constitutional reform process to touch on sovereignty issues, which includes territorial definition. And the fulfillment of President Chen’s commitments is a test of his leadership as well as his ability to protect Taiwan’s interests, its relations with others and to maintain peace and stability in the Straits.

So I think that’s basically where we are on this issue. We again know about
his commitments that he’s repeatedly stated on this subject and we expect he would carry out them.