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Editorials
Saturday, April 22, 2000Treading cautiously
on Taiwan arms salesUNITED States policy on Taiwan and China has long been a balancing act. President Clinton's decision to shelve Taiwan's request to buy four destroyers -- while approving the sale of long-range radar designed to detect missile launches -- constitutes more of the same.The issue: The Clinton administration will sell long-range radar to Taiwan but not four destroyers.
The idea is to show a degree of support for Taiwan in its efforts to defend itself against the threat of attack by Beijing -- but not enough to further inflame the situation.
But Republican leaders in the Senate aren't buying it. Jesse Helms, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said the Pentagon had decided "to sacrifice Taiwan's security in order to appease the dictators in Beijing." Majority Leader Trent Lott said the administration's decision was based on "threats emanating from Beijing," rather than on Taiwan's legitimate defense needs.
The destroyers in question are equipped with the Aegis system, which includes an advanced radar able to search for, track and engage more than 100 targets simultaneously. They also have Tomahawk cruise missiles. In addition to the destroyers, Taiwan requested submarines and anti-submarine aircraft, all of which have been denied.
If congressional Republicans insist on approving the destroyer sale, it could face a presidential veto. The conflict would inject more uncertainty into U.S. policy, which would not be helpful.
Relations between Beijing and Taipei are particularly sensitive following the election of opposition leader Chen Shui-bian as president -- the candidate fiercely opposed by the Chinese Communists.
Chen's election in the face of threats from Beijing has made Washington's position more difficult. Approval of a major weapons sale at this point could add more fuel to the fire. However, the United States cannot appear to be backing away from its commitment to the defense of Taiwan -- hence the approval of the radar equipment.
Washington has been busy urging both sides to tone down their rhetoric, with some apparent success. Chen's statement yesterday that he might consider a Taiwan-China confederation might ease tensions. But the situation is highly volatile.
An analyst with a think tank with close ties to the Taiwan defense ministry may have been correct in concluding that the U.S. decision could help improve relations between Beijing and Taipei. Approval of the sale could have undermined the attempt to reduce tension. Evidently the Taiwan military is not surprised or unduly troubled by the decision.
A buildup of Chinese missiles across the Taiwan Strait is a disturbing indication that the option of an attack on Taiwan remains under consideration by the Chinese military.
The issue is what is the appropriate response. The U.S. is committed under the Taiwan Relations Act to assist in the defense of Taiwan and has done so by providing arms for the last 20 years. The need is to provide enough military assistance to deter an attack but not enough to be provocative.
The administration seems to have made the right call this time. But if Beijing persists in its talk of war and follows up with military preparations, all bets are off.
Fireworks control
deal looks promisingIn a legislative session that threatens to be skimpy on accomplishments, there is hope that a bill to control -- not ban -- fireworks will emerge. With any measure short of a total ban, its effectiveness is open to doubt. But the situation now is so bad that virtually any change would be an improvement.
The compromise now under consideration would impose a $25 fee for a county permit to purchase up to 5,000 firecrackers. If more were desired, another $25 fee would have to be paid. Fireworks could not be bought more than five days before their use and would be limited to cultural purposes and public displays. Violations would be punishable by a $2,000 fine.
The measure would also strengthen the ban on aerial fireworks. Possession of 25 pounds or more of aerial fireworks would be a class C felony, punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and five years in prison. Possession of less than 25 pounds would be a misdemeanor.
In addition, the bill would increase the license fees for importing, selling and storing fireworks, to $3,000 for importation, $2,000 for wholesale, $1,000 for storage and $500 for retail.
These proposals could serve as a deterrent for vendors, particularly of aerials. The $25 fee for a county permit to buy 5,000 firecrackers could be an effective deterrent to excessive use.
Sen. Cal Kawamoto, co-chairman of the conference committee, who originally favored a total fireworks ban, said the compromise is "the closest we (can) get" to a ban. He said the bill would reduce fireworks use by 30 to 40 percent.
Kawamoto's House counterpart, Eric Hamakawa, called the measure a reasonable compromise, although he believed the people who wanted a ban wouldn't be happy.
If the supply of illegal aerial fireworks can be cut off and the use of other firecrackers limited through these measures, it will make New Year's Eve safer and less noisy for island residents.
Published by Liberty Newspapers Limited PartnershipRupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor
