U.S. Opposes Taiwan Troops Going to Iraq

[Barrett808]

U.S. Opposes Taiwan Troops Going to Iraq
By GEORGE GEDDA

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration does not intend to ask Taiwan to deploy troops to Iraq because such a move could inflame China, a State Department official said Wednesday.

The Bush administration is seeking international support for the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, but Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly told a House subcommittee that Taiwanese help in Iraq is not being pursued.

A Taiwanese troop offer would benefit Iraq but "would raise considerable tensions in Asia," Kelly said, referring to the expected reaction from China.

China strongly has opposed any actions by Taiwan that heighten the perception that the island is anything more than a renegade province of China.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040602/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_china_taiwan&cid=542&ncid=1480

[rucky]

1. why the heck not? Let's bring ALL the wars to Iraq

the Kashmiris & the Palestenians & the Koreans can also bring in some troops. Then there'll be peace on Earth (everywhere but Iraq).

[MasonJar]

2. Well now, the Taiwanese troops must be heartbroken. n/t

[dArKeR]

3. Taiwan says no marines to go to Iraq - on May 24, 2004 so what is the

report above?


By Ko Shu-ling
STAFF REPORTER , WITH AGENCIES
Monday, May 24, 2004,Page 1

The Presidential Office and the Cabinet yesterday dismissed suggestions that the nation was considering sending troops to Iraq after two members of the US House of Representatives presented a resolution that would require the US president to ask Taiwan to send marines to the recently invaded country.

"As far as I know, it was just a proposal," Cabinet Spokesman Chen Chi-mai (???) said. "Up until now, the US government has never made such a request nor have we received any message from the US government in this regard."

The main aim of the nation's armed forces is to defend the country, Chen said, and the Cabinet has no plans to elevate its military cooperation with the US.

"As a member of the international community, we've dedicated ourselves to anti-terrorism, post-war reconstruction and humanitarian aid," he said. "I believe the communication channels with the US military have been smooth and interaction frequent, which has had a positive impact on security across the Taiwan Strait and regional stability."

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2004/05/24/2003156723

Satan did NOT tempt Abian!