Taiwan president to meet with U.S. lawmakers in U.S

0 Comments | Asian Political News, May 21, 2001

WASHINGTON, May 14 Kyodo

(EDS: RECASTING WITH BOUCHER'S COMMENTS)

In a policy change expected to anger Beijing, the United States said Monday it will allow Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian to meet with U.S. lawmakers during a stopover in the United States later this month before traveling to Central America.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told a news briefing that the U.S. has decided to issue a transit visa for Chen to ensure ''safety, comfort and convenience'' of the traveler, and will not oppose his plans to meet with U.S. lawmakers while in the U.S.

''We believe that meetings between members of Congress and foreign leaders have a positive benefit of advancing our national interests. So we assume that some of those will take place,'' Boucher said.

If the meeting takes place, it will be the first between a Taiwan leader and U.S. lawmakers on U.S. soil since Washington severed diplomatic ties with Taipei in 1979.

In the past, the U.S. government had asked Taiwan authorities not to seek contact between its leader and U.S. lawmakers while in the U.S. for a transit to third countries.

The new U.S. policy is likely to infuriate Beijing at a time when their ties are already strained over the April 1 collision between a U.S. reconnaissance plane and a Chinese fighter, and last month's U.S. decision on selling sophisticated arms to Taiwan.

China has strongly objected to transits by the Taiwan leader, claiming a visit would amount to recognition of Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province.

Earlier in the day, Secretary of State Colin Powell dismissed such concern by Beijing.

''We will try to reassure the authorities in Beijing that there is nothing in the president's transit that they should find disturbing or in any way modifying or changing or casting any doubt on the policy that exists between the U.S. and the People's Republic of China,'' Powell said in an interview with CNN television.

Boucher said Chen will arrive in New York on May 21 for a two-night stay before heading to five Central American countries -- El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay and Honduras.

On his return trip, he will also stay over in Houston on June 2 and depart the U.S. the following day, Boucher said.

Republican Sen. Jesse Helms and House Majority Whip Tom DeLay reportedly plan to meet with Chen during his U.S. stopover. Helms is chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and DeLay is the No. 3 House Republican leader.

A U.S. newspaper reported last month that DeLay, a native of Texas, will serve as a tour guide during Chen's stop in Houston.

Boucher said Chen will not be allowed to engage in public activities, such as holding a news conference or meeting with U.S. administration officials, while in the U.S.

''We made clear that we expect that any activities should be private, should be unofficial, should be consistent with the purpose of the transit,'' he said.