U.S. and Taiwan (2006)

State Department Briefing, February 22

State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli briefed the press February 22.

Following is the transcript of the State Department briefing:

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U.S. Department of State
Daily Press Briefing
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
1:15 p.m. EST

Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

QUESTION: Can you confirm that the State Department Taiwan Desk Officer (inaudible) was sent to Taipei last week to convey the U.S. message directly to President Chen on the --

MR. ERELI: No, I don't -- frankly, I don't have that level of detail of what our diplomatic contacts with officials in Taiwan has been. I can tell you that we have made clear to the -- to officials in Taiwan our longstanding policy regarding Cross-Straits issues. You know what that policy is. We are opposed to unilateral changes in the status quo by either side and we believe that direct dialogue between Beijing and Taipei is the best way to address Cross-Strait -- resolve questions in Cross-Strait relations. This is a message, again, that we continue to deliver to the government of -- or to the officials in Taiwan. But I don't -- you know, I don't have details to share with you about who said what to whom and when. Frankly, it's not -- it's just not something that is that relevant.

QUESTION: And is --

QUESTION: (Inaudible.)

MR. ERELI: Well, she's going to follow up.

QUESTION: Thank you. In spite of all of the communication between the U.S. and Taiwan, it doesn't seem that President Chen has been convinced by the U.S. not to take action would be considered, would be seen as unilateral change the status quo. Just yesterday when he met with some U.S. congressmen, he restated that the Unification Council is all but defunct and should be scrapped long ago. So does this mean it's a done deal? Are you still hoping that Chen may drop his plan? Or are you now thinking about how to respond to his decision?

MR. ERELI: Without getting into specifics on any one proposal or any one idea, we have and we continue to make clear to the authorities in Taipei that we oppose steps by either side that raise tensions or that alter the status quo, and that result -- that relates to ongoing issues as well as previous ones. But I don't have anything specific for you on this latest proposal or this latest idea because this is just a -- you know, I would say it's a debate that -- or it's a position that we reiterate very strenuously and consistently in private, as I'm doing it in public.

QUESTION: Deputy Secretary Zoellick met with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Yang yesterday. Did the subject come up in their meeting?

MR. ERELI: Well, they talked about a number of things. Obviously, they talked about preparations for the visit of Chinese President Hu next -- in April. They talked a lot about economic issues, particularly trade and currency concerns, as well as intellectual property rights and market access. They discussed regional issues such as the six-party talks and Iran. Issues of human rights were raised, particularly religious freedom, internet restrictions and, yeah, the issue of Taiwan was raised and the Deputy Secretary as well as Assistant Secretary Hill reiterated our longstanding positions on that issue in the context of that discussion.

QUESTION: What is your policy on the direct contact between U.S. officials and Taiwanese officials? Do you simply pretend they don't exist?

MR. ERELI: No.

QUESTION: Well, I mean, why can't you acknowledge the meeting that supposedly took place recently?

MR. ERELI: Well, there are two meetings that are being discussed. One is between an NSC official and officials in Taiwan. I'd leave it to the NSC to talk about. I'm not going to talk about it. As far as this other official, I just don't know. I hadn't heard about it. I can't confirm it because I don't have the facts. But without reference to a specific visit or not or a specific meeting, I can articulate for you what our longstanding policy is and what we tell them whenever we have the opportunity to do so.

QUESTION: That's fine. Does Assistant Secretary Hill have occasional meetings with Taiwanese representatives?

MR. ERELI: Let me check.

QUESTION: Please.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

QUESTION: Is the United States ready soon to accept North Korean refugees who are sort of hiding out in China? This is under the 2004 North Korea Human Rights Act. I think there was a provision in there -- a line for refugees to come back. Apparently, Jay Lefkowitz has been discussing this so I wondered is the U.S. ready to accept?

MR. ERELI: Yeah. Let me look into that and get you an answer.

QUESTION: Okay.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

(The briefing was concluded at 2:09 p.m.)

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