Thread: Obama announces $6B arms sale to Taiwan

Jan 29, 2010

Obama announces $6B arms sale to Taiwan

04:00 PM
By JUNG YEON-JE

Confirming a report earlier this week, President Obama notified Congress today that he will sell $6 billion in weapons to Taiwan.

The sale, on hold since the end of the Bush administration, includes Black Hawk helicopters, Patriot missiles, mine-hunting ships, a submarine-design study and information technology. Congress, which approved the sale in October 2008, has 30 days to respond before the sale goes forward.

Today's announcement, posted by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, will anger Beijing, which considers the island part of the Chinese mainland. Taiwan governs itself, but it is not formally independent and is not a member of the United Nations. The United States is its biggest ally and weapons supplier.

The military- industry site Defense News wrote earlier this week that a "temporary break in U.S.-China military ties could follow the sale," which includes "60 UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters, a submarine design study, phase two of the C4I/Link 16 "Po Sheng" program, two Osprey-class mine-hunter patrol boats, and additional Patriot PAC-3 missile defense systems."

Here are some more details from the Defense News article:

Taiwan is facing about 1,400 short-range ballistic missiles from China and plans to deploy the new PAC-3s in the central and southern regions of Taiwan.

On submarines, Taiwan has been awaiting the release of congressional notifications since the Bush administration approved the sale of eight diesel submarines in 2001. A U.S. government source said they most likely would be smaller than conventional diesel attack submarines currently being deployed by China and other regional navies. Taiwan does not need deep submersibles due to the shallow waters of the Taiwan Strait, he said.

Taiwan has an urgent need for new utility helicopters to replace ageing UH-1H "Huey" helicopters procured during the 1980s. The requirement was highlighted during the recent Typhoon Morakot that killed more than 500 people in southern Taiwan in August.

As the Associated Press notes, the sale "satisfies parts of an $11 billion arms package originally pledged to Taiwan by former President George W. Bush in 2001,which has been provided in stages because of political and budgetary considerations in Taiwan and the United States."

As the Associated Press notes, the sale "satisfies parts of an $11 billion arms package originally pledged to Taiwan by former President George W. Bush in 2001,which has been provided in stages because of political and budgetary considerations in Taiwan and the United States."

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... o-taiwan/1

US to consult with China on Taiwan arms
(AFP) – 5 hours ago

WASHINGTON — The United States will consult with China on any arms sales to Taiwan as it places great importance on ties with the rising Asian power, President Barack Obama's national security adviser said Friday.

Former general James Jones declined to confirm whether the Obama administration was finalizing a package of weapons to Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

"What we will announce or not announce as the case may be will not come as a surprise to our Chinese friends. We will consult in a transparent way," Jones said at the Center for Strategic and International Relations think-tank.

"We all recognize that there are certain things that countries will do periodically that may not make everybody completely happy.

"But we are bent towards a new relationship with China as a rising power in the world, with influence on a variety of issues that go beyond the arms sales and go beyond military confrontation," he said, calling China a "very, very high priority" for the Obama administration.

Congressional aides say the administration is consulting on a new package of weapons for Taiwan.

The United States switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing as China's sole government in 1979, but Congress at the same time required the administration to provide Taiwan with arms to defend itself.

The Obama administration finalized the sale of missile equipment to Taiwan early this month -- part of a previous deal announced under president George W. Bush that led Beijing to temporarily snap military ties with the United States.

Despite easing tensions with Beijing, Taiwan has been appealing for fresh weapons from the United States, worried about China's double-digit annual growth in military spending.

But many observers doubt the administration will sell to Taiwan a key item on its wish-list, F-16 fighter jets, for fear of riling China.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ar ... aWY-PqnEFQ

U.S. announces $6.4 billion arms deal with Taiwan

From Charley Keyes, CNN
January 29, 2010 10:16 p.m. EST

The United States is going to sell 60 Black Hawk helicopters, totaling $3.1 billion, to Taiwan.

Washington (CNN) -- Overriding objections from China, the Obama administration unveiled a $6.4 billion arms deal with Taiwan on Friday -- including about $2.85 billion in missiles.

The sale includes 60 Black Hawk helicopters (totaling $3.1 billion), 114 advanced Patriot air defense missiles, a pair of Osprey mine-hunting ships and dozens of advanced communications systems.

China has complained to the United States about the sale of Patriot missiles and other weapons to Taiwan, which neither Beijing nor Washington recognize as a sovereign nation. The deals do not include F-16 fighter jets, which China has vehemently opposed.

China's Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei issued a statement in response to Friday's announcement, saying the arms deal was a "crude interference in China's domestic affairs" and would "seriously harm China's national security," the China Daily newspaper reported.

He added, "China expresses its strong indignation."

The State Department describes the latest round of arms sales to Taiwan as a way to guarantee security and stability, despite China's objections.

"This is a clear demonstration of the commitment this administration has to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons it needs and as provided for in the Taiwan Relations Act," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said at his regular Friday briefing. "We think this action is consistent with the U.S. one-China policy ... and contributes to maintaining stability and security across the Taiwan Strait."

He said the State Department had informed the U.S. Congress as well as China and Taiwan about the arms package.

Crowley would not speak directly about the timing of the announcement of the sales, or about the fact that the arms package does not include F-16s.

The arms sales come as the United States is hoping to persuade China to sign on to harsher sanctions against Iran and just after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized China for its policies relating to the Internet.

A senior U.S. official said later that the United States expected Chinese criticism of the arms deal, but does not expect permanent damage.

"We've worked through these issues before. We will do so again," the U.S. official said, seeking anonymity on such an important policy issue. "What is important here is the stability in the region. And we do think our ongoing sales of arms to Taiwan is fully consistent with everyone's long-term interest in stability in the region."

The official said he believed Clinton had discussed the sale in London, England, with her Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of Thursday's international conference on Afghanistan.

"This relationship between the United States and China is broad, it's deep. There are a large number of issues. We don't see eye to eye with them and we have to have and do have the ability to speak honestly," the official said.

The arms deal is the latest chapter in a decades-long uneasy standoff; China claims Taiwan is its own territory and has threatened to invade if Taiwan ever declares independence. The United States has said it will defend Taiwan if China ever attacks.

The government in Taiwan began as the remnant of the government that ruled over mainland China until a Communist insurrection proved victorious in 1949. With the Communist takeover of mainland China, the losing faction fled to the island of Taiwan. Taiwan is formally known as the Republic of China, while Communist China's official name is People's Republic of China.

Many Western nations and the United Nations recognized Taiwan as the legitimate Chinese government until the 1970s.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/0 ... gletoolbar

US Defends Arms Deal with Taiwan
VOA News 30 January 2010

China announced suspension of military exchanges, security talks with US, also threatened sanctions on US firms that sell arms to Taiwan.

The United States on Saturday defended its plan to sell military equipment to Taiwan, following China's threats to retaliate.

Laura Tischler, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, told reporters in Washington that such arms sales contribute to maintaining security and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

China announced Saturday it is suspending military exchanges and security talks with the United States, and also threatened sanctions on U.S. firms that sell Taiwan arms. The step was reaction to a U.S. plan announced Friday to sell Taiwan $6.4 billion in military equipment.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei summoned U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman in Beijing Saturday to lodge a protest. He urged Washington to cancel the deal, which he described as a threat to China's national security.

He also said the arms deal undermines China's effort at peaceful reunification with Taiwan.

In Taiwan, President Ma Ying-jeou said the arms deal will boost the island's defenses and give it a sense of security as it builds closer economic ties with Mainland China.

Relations between Beijing and Taipei have improved for the first time in decades since the two sides split in 1949. But nationalists in Taiwan have accused President Ma of building close ties with China at the expense of the island's sovereignty.

The U.S. Department of Defense said Friday it notified Congress of a plan to sell 60 Black Hawk helicopters, Patriot missiles, radar sets and communications equipment to Taiwan.

The package does not include F-16 fighter jets that the self-ruled island had wanted.

The United States has a treaty commitment to help the island maintain its defenses, and wants Taiwan and China to settle their differences peacefully.

China considers self-ruled Taiwan its sovereign territory, and has threatened to use military force if Taiwan attempts to claim formal independence.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/as ... 52952.html

US Defends Arms Deal with Taiwan
VOA News 30 January 2010

China announced suspension of military exchanges, security talks with US, also threatened sanctions on US firms that sell arms to Taiwan.

What, China is not going to let GE buy their crap any longer? That's hilarious. I think we should sell Taiwan any military item they want to buy including stealth fighters and missile defense, we don't have to justify our actions to help free people oppose the Chinese dictatorship.