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Editorials
Saturday, February 5, 2000Taiwan defense bill
could raise tensionAFTER President Jimmy Carter recognized the Communist government of China in 1979, Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act, which reiterated the U.S. commitment to assist in the defense of Taiwan despite its loss of diplomatic recognition.The issue: The House has passed a bill aimed at increasing U.S. military aid to Taiwan.
Twenty years later, Congress is trying to strengthen that law. By an overwhelming 341-70 vote, the House approved a bill to that effect on Tuesday and sent it to the Senate. Its chief sponsor, Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas, said the senators "cannot ignore a huge vote like this." The White House opposed the measure and threatened a veto should the bill come to President Clinton.
In Beijing, the Foreign Ministry reacted immediately to the vote, summoning U.S. Ambassador Joseph Prueher to express "strong indignation." Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told Prueher that the bill "seriously violated Chinese sovereignty, grossly interfered in China's internal affairs," and was aimed at separating China and Taiwan.
Clinton warned, "Passing a big, new, sweeping bill like this is not well-advised and will complicate our long-term task and may well have the boomerang effect of putting Taiwan under greater pressure."
The Taiwan Security Enhancement Act mandates the Pentagon to establish direct military communications with Taipei and expand its training of Republic of China officers. It would also make it more difficult for the administration to limit arms sales to Taiwan as authorized under the 1979 act.
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., cited his long support for Taiwan but said he doesn't want to do anything that might further complicate already tense relations between the mainland and the island. "We should proceed with due diligence," Lott said. Thus far the bill has not been scheduled for debate in the Senate.
But Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, suggested the legislation could develop considerable support in the Senate. "I don't think we're nervous about restating our commitment to Taiwan," he said.
But where is the need to restate that commitment? The Taiwan Relations Act makes the commitment and is still in force, much to Beijing's disgust. It has helped to deter any attempt by China to take Taiwan by force for 20 years.
The new legislation would accomplish little of consequence but would enrage the Chinese Communist leaders.
The presidential election coming up on Taiwan next month will be a test of Chinese restraint, particularly if the opposition candidate, who in the past has supported independence, wins. We have no desire to kowtow to Beijing and we support defending Taiwan. But there is no reason to throw fuel on the fire in this delicate situation.
Improvement district
could help WaikikiPRIVATELY funded and operated improvement districts have been used to spruce up Times Square in New York and the fashion district in Los Angeles. A similar program could help revitalize Waikiki, which has lost some of its luster over the years.
That is exactly what the Waikiki Improvement Association, which is comprised of a majority of the commercial landowners in the tourist district, has in mind. The association is backing a bill introduced in the City Council that would establish the mechanism to create business improvement districts.
The program for Waikiki would entail payment by property owners for safety patrols, sidewalk cleaning, landscaping and other services and improvements. The budget is expected to run about $1.7 million a year.
Assessments would be made only on commercial properties in the improvement district, based on assessed values. Owners of property outside of a primary area would pay less. A nonprofit board comprised of owners, lessees and tenants of commercial space would produce an operating budget. In addition to collecting assessments, the board could issue bonds, but would need Council approval.
If the bill is enacted into law, supporters of an improvement district -- not necessarily in Waikiki -- would have to petition the Council.
Rick Egged, head of the Waikiki Improvement Association, said most landowners and merchants understand that improvements are necessary because "it's really important that we provide an environment that is attractive to our visitors." He said the association's board voted unanimously to support establishment of the improvement district.
Egged estimated that there are 1,600 commercial properties in the proposed district. Although the assessment rates haven't been set, he said, "we think that the price will be viewed as affordable given the services to be provided."
The proposal would be a first for Hawaii, but the concept has already proved itself on the mainland. There seems to be no reason why it wouldn't work here -- and not only in Waikiki but perhaps downtown as well.
No matter how hard the city tries, there will always be room for privately funded efforts in such a bustling area. Waikiki needs this.
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
