February 3, 2000
Web posted at: 12:16 a.m. EST (0516 GMT)

In this story: Bill would establish direct military communications Legislation aims to counter China's military threat Measure comes as U.S. tries to ease strained ties RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The White House says President Bill Clinton will veto a congressional bill that would expand military ties between the United States and Taiwan.

"It would upset the very delicate and the central balance that has existed for 25 years across the Taiwan Straits," National Security Adviser Samuel Berger said Wednesday.

The Taiwan Security Enhancement Act comes at a time when the United States is trying to shore up support for permanent trade relations with China, which still considers Taiwan a province -- and the White House fears the bill could get in the way of that goal.

VIDEO CNN's Kelly Wallace reports on White House objections to a bill aimed at expanding military relations with Taiwan. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K    MESSAGE BOARD China tomorrow Taiwanese statehood?     RESOURCES TIME: Taiwan's Vice President Lien Chan

The bill, which passed the House on Tuesday by a veto-proof vote of 341-70, would establish direct military communications between Washington and Taiwan's capital, Taipei, and expand U.S. training of Taiwanese military officials.

It would also require the president to report to Congress annually on Taiwan's defense requests, making it more difficult for the administration to limit arms sales to the country.

"Since then, a massive Chinese missile and military build-up across the Taiwan Straits has served as a constant threat," said House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas. "Waiting for the next shoe to fall would be a very costly mistake."

CIA Director George Tenet said that fear could be well founded. "The catalyst for these tensions is the Taiwan election on the 18th of March, which Beijing will be monitoring for signs that a new president will retreat from Lee's statements or further extend the distance from reunification," said Tenet.

Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui declared last July that his island's relations with the mainland should be conducted on a "state-to-state" basis. China reacted angrily and threatened the use of force to bring Taiwan back under its rule.

Nevertheless, the White House says it has enough authority under current laws to provide Taiwan with defenses and, therefore, another bill is not needed.

China's leadership in Beijing has complained about the bill.

The House vote came at a time when the United States is trying to improve badly strained relations with China after NATO's accidental bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during the alliance's air strikes on Yugoslavia.

The legislation also comes at a time when the United States is trying to get Congress to approve permanent trade relations with China, leading to that country's entry into the World Trade Organization.

"People who have concerns about China in the Congress have expressed their concerns through their vote on this bill. Now it's time for them to move on and get WTO for China," said former U.S. Ambassador to China James Lilley.

The White House does not believe the House vote will affect its push for permanent trade relations with China, and senior White House officials say it's likely the bill will not make it through the Senate and then to Clinton's desk.

The White House Correspondent Kelly Wallace, congressional Correspondent Bob Franken and Reuters contributed to this report.

Visions of China

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Clinton names lobbying team on China WTO membership
January 10, 2000

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