U.S. and Taiwan (2006)

U.S. Department of State

Daily Press Briefing

Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
June 6, 2006

12:50 p.m. EDT

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QUESTION: Iranian President keeps saying according to the reports and also he keeps saying in public also that he is backed by China and Russia, and he will not move as far as nuclear program where Iran is concerned.

MR. MCCORMACK: All I can say is the package that was presented to the Iranians was agreed upon by the P5+1, which includes Russia and China.

Joel?

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QUESTION: Thank you for taking my question yesterday. I saw you put out a statement on Taiwan. I'm just wondering how the U.S. perceives the latest development now the opposition party has filed a motion to impeach Chen Shui-bian. Are you concerned the impeachment may cause instability in Taiwan?

MR. MCCORMACK: I would refer you to the statement that I put out yesterday.

QUESTION: A quick follow-up. There have been a lot of confusing reports in Taiwan. A few politicians claim now the U.S. is backing them. Just for the record, can you clarify whether or not the U.S. has any preference for Chen Shui-bian to either step down or complete his terms?

MR. MCCORMACK: Those are political decisions for the Taiwan people to make, not for us.

QUESTION: Just a follow-up.

MR. MCCORMACK: Yes?

QUESTION: Taiwan's Government on the news agency, Central News Agency filed a report on -- saying that U.S. hoped President Chen to complete his term in the office. And they said -- a government-owned agency says the report was read everywhere in Taiwan. So the people in Taiwan now says perhaps the U.S. Government take side on that issue.

MR. MCCORMACK: It sounds like a political issue for the Taiwan people to decide.

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(The briefing was concluded at 1:37 p.m.)