Taiwan: US Promotes Status Quo
A Spokesperson for the
Below are extracts from an article written by David Gollust and published by Voice of
The
The State Department is urging President Chen to "exercise leadership" by withdrawing the idea of the referendum, which it says would serve no purpose other than to increase tensions with
President Chen, whose […] moves have frequently drawn
At a news briefing, State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said the
But he said consistent with the one-China policy the United States has maintained since switching recognition from Taiwan to the mainland in 1979, it does not support its membership in organizations that do require statehood including the United Nations
"The
"While such a referendum would have no practical impact on
McCormack said the referendum idea appears to run counter to President Chen's repeated commitments to President Bush and the international community not to upset the status quo in the region.
The Chinese government last week lashed out against the referendum plan, calling it a move to incite conflict and an attempt by President Chen to gain de jure independence for the island, which
A Taiwanese spokesman said Tuesday [19 June 2007] the referendum would go forward despite the criticism, saying the proposed vote is supported by a majority of Taiwanese and does not violate any commitments by President Chen.
Spokesman McCormack said he expects the issue to be raised by the Chinese side at a two-day U.S.-China "senior dialogue" beginning here Wednesday [20 June 2007], led by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Chinese Executive Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo.
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