Rice 嚴詞批評台灣的入聯公投

Rice 嚴詞批評台灣的入聯公投
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice 在國務院記者會中，針對台灣政府推動的入聯公投有所評論，重申美國立場，指出這項公投是挑釁政策a provocative policy、無謂的引起台海緊張unnecessarily raises tensions in the Taiwan Strait 、也無法替台灣人民在國際舞台上帶來實質利益no real benefits for the people of Taiwan on the international stage，因此美國反對oppose這項公投referendum。
Condoleezza Rice 選擇在年終記者會上嚴詞批評台灣的入聯公投，就如同早先新聞所報導的，是美國把批評入聯公投的官員層級更提高了一層，目前只有布希總統尚未出面批評入聯公投。美台之間的關係，在台灣大選結束之前，將陷入冷凍期。
In the Taiwan Strait, for example, the United States remains committed to peace and security. We oppose any threat to use force and any unilateral move by either side to change the status quo. We have a One China policy and we do not support independence for Taiwan.
As we have stated in recent months, we think that Taiwan's referendum to apply to the United Nations under the name "Taiwan" is a provocative policy. It unnecessarily raises tensions in the Taiwan Strait and it promises no real benefits for the people of Taiwan on the
international stage. That is why we oppose this referendum.
由於中國壓力一波一波地來，包括拒絕美國軍艦入港，以及未來在國際上可能的合作，使得美國明知拿台北沒辦法，仍不得不作態應付一下。

Rice Calls Taiwan's UN Referendum 'Provocative'By David Gollust
State Department
21 December 2007Gollust report - Download MP3 (546k)
Listen to Gollust report
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Friday criticized plans by Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian to hold a referendum on U.N. membership for the island under the name Taiwan. Rice called the planned vote in March provocative. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Departnment.


Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the State Department in Washington, 21 Dec. 2007
Rice used an opening statement at a yearend news conference to deliver the strongest U.S. criticism to date of the referendum plans by Mr. Chen.
The Taiwanese leader intends to hold the referendum in March alongside presidential elections, ignoring repeated criticism by the United States and warnings from China.
Rice said the United States remains committed to peace and security in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any threats of the use force or unilateral moves by either side to change the status-quo.
She said the United States has a one-China policy and does not support Taiwan independence:
"As we have stated in recent months, we think that Taiwan's referendum to apply to the United Nations under the name Taiwan is a provocative policy," she said. "It unnecessarily raises tensions in the Taiwan strait, and it promises no real benefits for the people of Taiwan on the international stage. That is why we oppose this referendum."
Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said in August the referendum plan was a cause of great concern for the United States because it is seen by Washington as a step towards an independence declaration for Taiwan and an alteration of the status-quo.
Anticipating the new U.S. statement by Rice, Taiwanese foreign minister James Huang said this week it was regrettable that the planned vote was being demonized as an independence step, and said the United States should trust in the wisdom of the Taiwanese people in holding the referendum.
Several key conservatives in the U.S. Congress have expressed support for the referendum.
The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to the communist mainland in 1979, but maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan through nominally-private institutes in Washington and Taipei.
In his August remarks, to the Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV, Negroponte said the United States is very committed to the defense of Taiwan under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act of the U.S. Congress, which provides for sales of American defensive weapons to the island.
China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province, and has not ruled out the use of force in dealing with the issue.
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Taiwan UN bid 'provocative' - USUS Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Washington is strongly opposed to Taiwan's plan for a referendum on United Nations membership.
Ms Rice said applying to the UN in the name of "Taiwan" was a "provocative policy" - it raised tensions in the Taiwan Strait "unnecessarily".
Taiwan has failed to join the UN under its formal name, Republic of China.
Beijing regards Taiwan as its territory and has blocked its bid to regain a UN membership the island lost in 1971.
Separately governed
At an end-of-year news conference at the state department, Ms Rice said: "We think that Taiwan's referendum to apply to the United Nations under the name 'Taiwan' is a provocative policy.
"It unnecessarily raises tensions in the Taiwan Strait, and it promises no real benefits for the people of Taiwan on the international stage."
Beijing has attacked the referendum, calling it a precursor to attempts to declare independence.
It has consistently threatened to use force if that happens.
China and Taiwan have been separately governed since 1949.
Taiwan held a UN seat until 1971, as the Republic of China, but that seat was then given to Beijing.
Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian has scheduled the referendum for 22 March 2008, when presidential elections are set to take place.
He said recently: "China and Taiwan are two separate states on either side of the Taiwan Strait."