Fake GUARDS? What, mannequins? I have to know more please...
EDIT: Nevermind, this will teach me not to read the whole thread through first
Taiwan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.
- Thread starter Gollevainen
- Start date
Fake GUARDS? What, mannequins? I have to know more please...
EDIT: Nevermind, this will teach me not to read the whole thread through first
The defence industry does need more investment from the government, I'm not sure when the new budget goes into place. So until we hear the news, who knows what the government is going to invest in.
Some things are best to stay unknown and secret, it would be plain stupid if info on everything in the military's inventory was released publicly. Personally, I'm sure they've upgraded it and perhaps improved some of the aspects of the Stinger. Taiwan is very good with missile technology, and reverse engineering.
I'm sure we all agree, Taiwan needs alot of boosting with the budget, but the problem lies with the government. The government decides how much money goes in and if its politically viable to purchase or upgrade weapons without drawing fire from the CCP, USA, KMT, or the DPP.
In this post we'll look at some of ROCA's short & medium ranged missile defense systems, and possible upgrade paths.
====================================
SHORAD
For short-range air defense, the ROCA is equipped with M1097 Avenger system, which is a Humvee with Stingers, and TC-1 SAM vehicle mount, aka Antelope ADS:
The TC-1's design borrows heavily from the AIM-9L, and the vehicles above emulates the MIM-72/M48 Chaparral (the ROC Marine Corps use Chaparral). Sadly, this is yet another Vietnam war era style weapon system, phased out by the US military in 1990s. On ROCN Kang Ding Class FFG's, you'd find a single 4-cel Sea Chaparral installed as its sole SAM system.
This is what a modern SHORAD should look like (not in ROCA service):
A modern SHORAD should have its missiles stored in sealed containers, and be capable of intercepting the following:
* Fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, UAV's
* Stand-off, cruise, and anti-radiation missiles
* Guided bombs
In addition, the missile system could have secondary anti-ground capability against light armored vehicles and fixed installations (buildings?). Some vehicle mounts, such as the Pantsir-S1, has combined gun-missile mounts with 30mm AC.
With increasing range of stand-off weapons, it'd be necessary for ground units to have its own "CIWS" capability with SHORAD systems that could intercept IR/laser guided bombs and missiles. This necessity also extends to radar sites, high-value fixed installations, etc. The TC-1 and Antelope system may not be up to this task, so a new system has to be developed (or purchased).
Here's a Greek ASRAD equipped Hummer (not in ROCA service). Sleek looking upgrade from the Avenger:
=======================
Medium-range air defense
ROCA's medium-range air defense missile system consists of Oerlikon Contraves Skyguard/Sparrow AA & SAM system, and the MIM-23 HAWK, slated for retirement.
The USMC's Hawk Phase Iv upgrade was never completed, but there is a Hawk 21 upgrade avail with replacement radar (AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel) and modified M192 missile launcher with AMRRAM (HAWK AMRAAM) -- the same system that provided anti-air defense for the White House: (not in ROCA service)
The Norwegian's version (NASAMS) with 6 x AMRRAMs in TLC: (not in ROCA service)
The upgrade provides better ATBM capability to the old HAWK system. The ROCA may wish to look into this, possibly with TC-2 missiles instead of AMRRAMs. Ideally, I'd prefer to have the missiles in TLC boxes for better protection against the elements and accidents. For highly mobile platforms, there's a Humvee-equipped AMRAAM platform called CLAWS/HUMRAAM: (not in ROCA service)
====================================
SHORAD
For short-range air defense, the ROCA is equipped with M1097 Avenger system, which is a Humvee with Stingers, and TC-1 SAM vehicle mount, aka Antelope ADS:
The TC-1's design borrows heavily from the AIM-9L, and the vehicles above emulates the MIM-72/M48 Chaparral (the ROC Marine Corps use Chaparral). Sadly, this is yet another Vietnam war era style weapon system, phased out by the US military in 1990s. On ROCN Kang Ding Class FFG's, you'd find a single 4-cel Sea Chaparral installed as its sole SAM system.
This is what a modern SHORAD should look like (not in ROCA service):
A modern SHORAD should have its missiles stored in sealed containers, and be capable of intercepting the following:
* Fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, UAV's
* Stand-off, cruise, and anti-radiation missiles
* Guided bombs
In addition, the missile system could have secondary anti-ground capability against light armored vehicles and fixed installations (buildings?). Some vehicle mounts, such as the Pantsir-S1, has combined gun-missile mounts with 30mm AC.
With increasing range of stand-off weapons, it'd be necessary for ground units to have its own "CIWS" capability with SHORAD systems that could intercept IR/laser guided bombs and missiles. This necessity also extends to radar sites, high-value fixed installations, etc. The TC-1 and Antelope system may not be up to this task, so a new system has to be developed (or purchased).
Here's a Greek ASRAD equipped Hummer (not in ROCA service). Sleek looking upgrade from the Avenger:
=======================
Medium-range air defense
ROCA's medium-range air defense missile system consists of Oerlikon Contraves Skyguard/Sparrow AA & SAM system, and the MIM-23 HAWK, slated for retirement.
The USMC's Hawk Phase Iv upgrade was never completed, but there is a Hawk 21 upgrade avail with replacement radar (AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel) and modified M192 missile launcher with AMRRAM (HAWK AMRAAM) -- the same system that provided anti-air defense for the White House: (not in ROCA service)
The Norwegian's version (NASAMS) with 6 x AMRRAMs in TLC: (not in ROCA service)
The upgrade provides better ATBM capability to the old HAWK system. The ROCA may wish to look into this, possibly with TC-2 missiles instead of AMRRAMs. Ideally, I'd prefer to have the missiles in TLC boxes for better protection against the elements and accidents. For highly mobile platforms, there's a Humvee-equipped AMRAAM platform called CLAWS/HUMRAAM: (not in ROCA service)
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Wow....so women are allowed to serve frontline duties or are they still barred from doing so?
============================================================
Master Sgt. Wu first female NCO to complete U.S. Marine Corps training
The China Post news staff
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Wu Hsiao-lin became the first female non-commissioned officer of the ROC Marine Co
rps to complete the grueling training for master sergeants in the U.S. Marine Corps.
She was also broke ground as the only female foreign military personnel to graduate from the 80-member class of April 2008 of the two-month advanced course.
Wu said she had to overcome a series of obstacles to graduate, including English-language tests and physical tests.
She was petite compared with much taller and stronger American classmates.
Wu managed to complete a running test within 32 minutes for 4,800 meters. She also finished a cross-county run in the mountain region in one hour, beating the required time of one hour and 30 minutes.
The training programs she attended included tough physical skills, expedition, map reading, leadership, warfare history, urban battle analysis and strategies, attack and defense tactics, and rescue and medical assistance missions.
Growing up in a military family, Wu aspired to become a police officer.
But she joined the military instead to become a non-commissioned officer after graduating from high school in southern Pingtung County.
Wu was later assigned to the Marine Corps where her latest position was serving as a statistician.
She has become a role model for a growing number of military officers in different branches of Taiwan's armed forces that saw a surge of female recruits in recent years.
As the nation's military is undergoing a transition to the voluntary armed forces formed by voluntary and profession troops who have to serve for longer years.
The new and recruiting system is to gradually replace the current conscription system which require all able-bodied men to serve for just one year.
============================================================
Master Sgt. Wu first female NCO to complete U.S. Marine Corps training
The China Post news staff
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Wu Hsiao-lin became the first female non-commissioned officer of the ROC Marine Co
rps to complete the grueling training for master sergeants in the U.S. Marine Corps.
She was also broke ground as the only female foreign military personnel to graduate from the 80-member class of April 2008 of the two-month advanced course.
Wu said she had to overcome a series of obstacles to graduate, including English-language tests and physical tests.
She was petite compared with much taller and stronger American classmates.
Wu managed to complete a running test within 32 minutes for 4,800 meters. She also finished a cross-county run in the mountain region in one hour, beating the required time of one hour and 30 minutes.
The training programs she attended included tough physical skills, expedition, map reading, leadership, warfare history, urban battle analysis and strategies, attack and defense tactics, and rescue and medical assistance missions.
Growing up in a military family, Wu aspired to become a police officer.
But she joined the military instead to become a non-commissioned officer after graduating from high school in southern Pingtung County.
Wu was later assigned to the Marine Corps where her latest position was serving as a statistician.
She has become a role model for a growing number of military officers in different branches of Taiwan's armed forces that saw a surge of female recruits in recent years.
As the nation's military is undergoing a transition to the voluntary armed forces formed by voluntary and profession troops who have to serve for longer years.
The new and recruiting system is to gradually replace the current conscription system which require all able-bodied men to serve for just one year.
Deal or no Deal.......the result is still no deal.....the yanks don't want to give us weapons.
==============================================================
No deal on arms resumption: Wang
By Charles Snyder
STAFF REPORTER IN WASHINGTON
Thursday, Jul 31, 2008, Page 1
Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) said he failed to secure a commitment from senior US officials on when the eight-month old freeze on new arms sales to Taiwan will end.
On Monday, Wang met with officials from the US National Security Council and the State and Defense Departments.
But none of the officials could commit themselves to a timeframe for the release of the eight arms packages, Wang said on Tuesday, adding that he was “optimistic,” based on what the US officials did say, that the sales would go through “eventually.”
The arms freeze has become the major issue this year in US-Taiwan relations, with the US holding up a large array of weapons packages that US President George W. Bush agreed to in 2001, but which the Legislative Yuan approved funding for only late last year.
But almost as soon as the legislature approved the money, the US clamped the freeze on arms sales, with many observers in Washington feeling that Bush did not want to alienate China. Despite recent speculation that the freeze might be lifted after Bush returns from the opening of the Beijing Olympics, the administration has made no such commitment.
Wang’s trip to Washington was billed mainly as an effort to push the arms sales issue, as well as to improve bilateral relations, which were hurt by several years of bad blood between Bush and former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) over Chen’s efforts to solidify Taiwan’s national identity.
Wang said he had “not heard anything” about when the freeze would be lifted, and the US officials “had not revealed their intentions” on the issue in response to a question after a speech at the Heritage Foundation think tank on Tuesday.
Wang said that there were “differences” between various US agencies on the arms sales issue, but did not give details, according to the English simultaneous interpretation of his remarks.
It has long been known that the Pentagon has been pushing for sales, but that the State Department and National Security Council have been holding up the sales packages.
Nevertheless, Wang said he was “more optimistic” and “more positive” about Taiwan’s likelihood of getting the arms it seeks after his meetings. He did not give a reason for his optimism.
He said US officials repeated to him what they have said publicly, that there has been no change in US policy toward arming Taiwan against possible Chinese military hostility and that the US fully adheres to the Taiwan Relations Act’s commitment to arm Taiwan with necessary defensive weapons.
He said he “hopes” the issue will be resolved as soon as possible, and the Pentagon will notify Congress of its plan to sell the weapons packages, setting the stage for a final US-Taiwan agreement on the arms transfers.
In his speech to the Heritage Foundation, titled “New Beginnings in a Strong Alliance,” Wang made repeated references to the importance of US arms supplies to Taiwan.
Recounting the history of US-Taiwan relations, he said “we believe that necessary arms sales from the US to Taiwan is one of the best paths, not only for maintaining Taiwan’s security, but also for consolidating the friendship between the two countries.”
“I have always firmly supported the arms sales,” he said. “Not only are they needed for our self-defense capability, they are also a key factor in maintaining the right balance in Taiwan-US-China relations.”
Speaking with reporters afterwards, Wang said that he had received a letter for President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) from presumptive Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain through McCain’s Asia adviser, former State Department official Randall Schriver. He did not disclose the contents of the letter.
Ma had earlier received a letter from McCain’s rival, Senator Barack Obama, which was relayed through the Democrat’s aide, former American Institute in Taiwan chairman Richard Bush.
Wang was scheduled to meet with a number of congressional leaders yesterday, including the heads of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus.
==============================================================
No deal on arms resumption: Wang
By Charles Snyder
STAFF REPORTER IN WASHINGTON
Thursday, Jul 31, 2008, Page 1
Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) said he failed to secure a commitment from senior US officials on when the eight-month old freeze on new arms sales to Taiwan will end.
On Monday, Wang met with officials from the US National Security Council and the State and Defense Departments.
But none of the officials could commit themselves to a timeframe for the release of the eight arms packages, Wang said on Tuesday, adding that he was “optimistic,” based on what the US officials did say, that the sales would go through “eventually.”
The arms freeze has become the major issue this year in US-Taiwan relations, with the US holding up a large array of weapons packages that US President George W. Bush agreed to in 2001, but which the Legislative Yuan approved funding for only late last year.
But almost as soon as the legislature approved the money, the US clamped the freeze on arms sales, with many observers in Washington feeling that Bush did not want to alienate China. Despite recent speculation that the freeze might be lifted after Bush returns from the opening of the Beijing Olympics, the administration has made no such commitment.
Wang’s trip to Washington was billed mainly as an effort to push the arms sales issue, as well as to improve bilateral relations, which were hurt by several years of bad blood between Bush and former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) over Chen’s efforts to solidify Taiwan’s national identity.
Wang said he had “not heard anything” about when the freeze would be lifted, and the US officials “had not revealed their intentions” on the issue in response to a question after a speech at the Heritage Foundation think tank on Tuesday.
Wang said that there were “differences” between various US agencies on the arms sales issue, but did not give details, according to the English simultaneous interpretation of his remarks.
It has long been known that the Pentagon has been pushing for sales, but that the State Department and National Security Council have been holding up the sales packages.
Nevertheless, Wang said he was “more optimistic” and “more positive” about Taiwan’s likelihood of getting the arms it seeks after his meetings. He did not give a reason for his optimism.
He said US officials repeated to him what they have said publicly, that there has been no change in US policy toward arming Taiwan against possible Chinese military hostility and that the US fully adheres to the Taiwan Relations Act’s commitment to arm Taiwan with necessary defensive weapons.
He said he “hopes” the issue will be resolved as soon as possible, and the Pentagon will notify Congress of its plan to sell the weapons packages, setting the stage for a final US-Taiwan agreement on the arms transfers.
In his speech to the Heritage Foundation, titled “New Beginnings in a Strong Alliance,” Wang made repeated references to the importance of US arms supplies to Taiwan.
Recounting the history of US-Taiwan relations, he said “we believe that necessary arms sales from the US to Taiwan is one of the best paths, not only for maintaining Taiwan’s security, but also for consolidating the friendship between the two countries.”
“I have always firmly supported the arms sales,” he said. “Not only are they needed for our self-defense capability, they are also a key factor in maintaining the right balance in Taiwan-US-China relations.”
Speaking with reporters afterwards, Wang said that he had received a letter for President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) from presumptive Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain through McCain’s Asia adviser, former State Department official Randall Schriver. He did not disclose the contents of the letter.
Ma had earlier received a letter from McCain’s rival, Senator Barack Obama, which was relayed through the Democrat’s aide, former American Institute in Taiwan chairman Richard Bush.
Wang was scheduled to meet with a number of congressional leaders yesterday, including the heads of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus.
1st ever night air defense drill set for Aug. 5
The China Post news staff
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Taipei -- The government will conduct the first ever nighttime air defense drill to be held on the e
vening of Tuesday, Aug. 5 covering all cities and counties in northern Taiwan.
The 2008 Wan-an (Forever Safe) air defense drill will affect people living and working in Taipei City, Taipei County, Keelung City, Yilan County, Taoyuan County, Hsinchu City, and Hsinchu County in northern Taiwan 10:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The annual drill, aimed at beefing up the nation's defense against possible aerial attacks from outside, has been carried out in the afternoons for decades.
Under the planning of the Ministry of National Defense (MND), the air drill this year will be staged during the night to raise public awareness that "outside threats could take place any time."
Senior MND commanders, local administrators, police force, and voluntary police teams will coordinate for the unprecedented air drill.
This is part of the nationwide 2008 Wan-an air defense drills with exercises held in five different districts -- north, central, south, and east districts of Taiwan plus offshore islands -- from May to October.
For the northern Taiwan drill, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin will concurrently serve as the top commander in civil defense for the capital city.
Hau will inspect the anti-aerial defense exercise via the advanced electronic monitoring networks that cover the whole Taipei area.
One of his commanding posts will be set up on the 72nd floor of the Taipei 101 Tower for the best views over the operations.
After air sirens are sounded, all lights, except for traffic signals and street lamps, have to be turned off during the half-hour period.
People should stay inside their homes and shut down the electricity and gas supply systems before hiding at safe spots.
All commercial operations, including convenience stores, are required to closed their doors, although business transactions may continue inside if they have customers when the drill starts.
Pedestrians and vehicles on streets must stop and get off the cars to hide as instructed by air drill officers.
The public transport systems like the airport, mass rapid transit (MRT) system, high-speed rail trains, and the conventional rail service will continue operating.
But passengers getting out of the airports or stations will have to take orders to stay in safe places as instructed.
People who disobey the rules or instructions will face fines between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000.
Top US official denies arms 'freeze'
CONGRESS DISPLEASED: Despite reassurances from the White House, seven representatives introduced legislation requiring the administration to provide 'detailed briefings'
Friday, Aug 01, 2008, Page 3
Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng answers a question at a press conference in Washington yesterday. Wang said that the US had not frozen arms sales to Taiwan and that it would continue the sales.
PHOTO: CNA
By Charles Snyder
Staff reporter in WASHINGTON
A top-level White House official, denying that the Bush administration has imposed a “freeze” on arms sales to Taiwan, on Wednesday reiterated the US’ commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to help Taiwan in its defense needs.
Dennis Wilder, the National Security Council’s senior director for Asian affairs, told reporters: “We continue to live up to that commitment. There are many engagements between the United States military and [the] Taiwan military. Nothing has been frozen in this relationship.”
Wilder made the statements in response to a question during a briefing on US President George W. Bush’s trip to Asia, at the end of which Bush will attend the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing next Friday.
Wilder’s comments came two days after he reportedly met with visiting Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), a meeting that led Wang to say he was very “optimistic” about the US position on arms sales, although he received no word as to when the sales would go through.
“There is no change in America’s policy toward Taiwan,” Wilder said at the briefing. “I think there has been a misunderstanding in the press that somehow we have put this relationship on hold. That is not true. We continue to have very robust relations with the Taiwan military. We continue to assist them with their self-defense needs and that is the policy of the United States Government.”
On the arms sales packages, which have been on hold since last December, allegedly to avoid China’s disfavor at a time when the administration needs Beijing’s help in a number of foreign policy crises, Wilder said: “There are many discussions that take place at various levels with the Taiwan military on their military needs. We are evaluating those needs and we will notify Congress of our decisions on various arms sales at the appropriate times.”
Bush will leave for Asia on Tuesday and visit South Korea and Thailand before arriving in Beijing on Thursday for a four-day visit.
As part of the trip, Bush will hold a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), but Wilder declined to say whether the arms sales would be an issue that would come up during the meeting.
Meanwhile, in an attempt to hold the Bush administration’s feet to the fire when it comes to its deliberations on the current arms sales issue, seven members of the US House of Representatives, including some of Taiwan’s most ardent friends on the Hill, introduced legislation on Wednesday to require the administration to provide Congress “detailed briefings” on its deliberations.
The bill reflects the displeasure among representatives over the Bush administration’s rumored freeze and its failure to keep Congress fully informed of its thinking on Taiwan arms sales, congressional staffers involved in the legislation said.
The bill would require the secretaries of state and defense to give the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee “detailed briefings” on a regular basis on the issue, starting three months after the bill is enacted into law and every four months thereafter.
The bill would include any discussions between Taiwan and the administration and “any potential transfer” of weapons systems to Taiwan.
The bill’s author, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the ranking Republican member of the House committee, has been a powerful supporter of Taiwan in the committee and has taken on a greater role since the death of former chairman Tom Lantos earlier this year.
The committee’s chairman, Howard Berman, is considered much less favorable to Taiwan’s interests than Lantos or Lantos’ predecessor, Henry Hyde.
Other co-sponsors include Tom Tancredo, perhaps one of Taiwan’s biggest champions in the House, and Shelley Berkley, a co-chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus.
The sponsors feel that by blocking the sales for political and foreign policy considerations, the administration has violated the letter of the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 which govern US relations with Taiwan.
The Act requires the US to supply arms to Taiwan in such amounts as the country needs to protect itself against a Chinese military attack.
Under the Act, in deciding whether to sell the arms, the US must make its decisions “based solely upon their judgment of the needs of Taiwan,” the bill says.
Congressional sources complain that the administration’s reported reasoning for the freeze, which includes concerns over China’s opposition, Bush’s impending trip to Beijing for the opening of the Olympics and the need for China’s cooperation in the North Korea nuclear stalemate, is a violation of the “based solely” mandate.
They also complain that a recent statement attributed to Admiral Timothy Keating, the commander of US forces in the Pacific, that the US consults with China about arms sales to Taiwan runs afoul of the Act and former president Ronald Reagan’s “six assurances” that the US would not discuss the arms with Beijing.
If the bill is taken up by the Foreign Affairs Committee, it probably would not happen before September, given the Congress’ impending month-long recess. That could coincide with the administration’s notification of Congress of its plan to sell any of the frozen packages, under the most optimistic timetable of supporters of the arms sales.
CONGRESS DISPLEASED: Despite reassurances from the White House, seven representatives introduced legislation requiring the administration to provide 'detailed briefings'
Friday, Aug 01, 2008, Page 3
Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng answers a question at a press conference in Washington yesterday. Wang said that the US had not frozen arms sales to Taiwan and that it would continue the sales.
PHOTO: CNA
By Charles Snyder
Staff reporter in WASHINGTON
A top-level White House official, denying that the Bush administration has imposed a “freeze” on arms sales to Taiwan, on Wednesday reiterated the US’ commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to help Taiwan in its defense needs.
Dennis Wilder, the National Security Council’s senior director for Asian affairs, told reporters: “We continue to live up to that commitment. There are many engagements between the United States military and [the] Taiwan military. Nothing has been frozen in this relationship.”
Wilder made the statements in response to a question during a briefing on US President George W. Bush’s trip to Asia, at the end of which Bush will attend the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing next Friday.
Wilder’s comments came two days after he reportedly met with visiting Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), a meeting that led Wang to say he was very “optimistic” about the US position on arms sales, although he received no word as to when the sales would go through.
“There is no change in America’s policy toward Taiwan,” Wilder said at the briefing. “I think there has been a misunderstanding in the press that somehow we have put this relationship on hold. That is not true. We continue to have very robust relations with the Taiwan military. We continue to assist them with their self-defense needs and that is the policy of the United States Government.”
On the arms sales packages, which have been on hold since last December, allegedly to avoid China’s disfavor at a time when the administration needs Beijing’s help in a number of foreign policy crises, Wilder said: “There are many discussions that take place at various levels with the Taiwan military on their military needs. We are evaluating those needs and we will notify Congress of our decisions on various arms sales at the appropriate times.”
Bush will leave for Asia on Tuesday and visit South Korea and Thailand before arriving in Beijing on Thursday for a four-day visit.
As part of the trip, Bush will hold a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), but Wilder declined to say whether the arms sales would be an issue that would come up during the meeting.
Meanwhile, in an attempt to hold the Bush administration’s feet to the fire when it comes to its deliberations on the current arms sales issue, seven members of the US House of Representatives, including some of Taiwan’s most ardent friends on the Hill, introduced legislation on Wednesday to require the administration to provide Congress “detailed briefings” on its deliberations.
The bill reflects the displeasure among representatives over the Bush administration’s rumored freeze and its failure to keep Congress fully informed of its thinking on Taiwan arms sales, congressional staffers involved in the legislation said.
The bill would require the secretaries of state and defense to give the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee “detailed briefings” on a regular basis on the issue, starting three months after the bill is enacted into law and every four months thereafter.
The bill would include any discussions between Taiwan and the administration and “any potential transfer” of weapons systems to Taiwan.
The bill’s author, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the ranking Republican member of the House committee, has been a powerful supporter of Taiwan in the committee and has taken on a greater role since the death of former chairman Tom Lantos earlier this year.
The committee’s chairman, Howard Berman, is considered much less favorable to Taiwan’s interests than Lantos or Lantos’ predecessor, Henry Hyde.
Other co-sponsors include Tom Tancredo, perhaps one of Taiwan’s biggest champions in the House, and Shelley Berkley, a co-chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus.
The sponsors feel that by blocking the sales for political and foreign policy considerations, the administration has violated the letter of the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 which govern US relations with Taiwan.
The Act requires the US to supply arms to Taiwan in such amounts as the country needs to protect itself against a Chinese military attack.
Under the Act, in deciding whether to sell the arms, the US must make its decisions “based solely upon their judgment of the needs of Taiwan,” the bill says.
Congressional sources complain that the administration’s reported reasoning for the freeze, which includes concerns over China’s opposition, Bush’s impending trip to Beijing for the opening of the Olympics and the need for China’s cooperation in the North Korea nuclear stalemate, is a violation of the “based solely” mandate.
They also complain that a recent statement attributed to Admiral Timothy Keating, the commander of US forces in the Pacific, that the US consults with China about arms sales to Taiwan runs afoul of the Act and former president Ronald Reagan’s “six assurances” that the US would not discuss the arms with Beijing.
If the bill is taken up by the Foreign Affairs Committee, it probably would not happen before September, given the Congress’ impending month-long recess. That could coincide with the administration’s notification of Congress of its plan to sell any of the frozen packages, under the most optimistic timetable of supporters of the arms sales.
Hey adeptitus any idea what they're talking about? Any weapons Taiwan is missing?
[However, Wang disclosed that in his talks with US officials, who he did not identify, they pointed out to him items not on Taiwan’s wish list that Taiwan should also have, more up-to-date weapons that Taiwan “did not think of.”]
No real prospect of arms sales this year: lawmakers
By Charles Snyder
STAFF REPORTER IN WASHINGTON
Friday, Aug 01, 2008, Page 3
Prospects for the US and Taiwan to finalize a contract for the sale of some US$11 billion in frozen arms packages by the end of the year look less than promising, two co-chairmen of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus told Taiwanese reporters on Wednesday, as the lawmakers met on Capitol Hill with visiting Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平).
Republican Steve Chabot and Democrat Robert Wexler both said that the tight timetable Congress faces before its adjournment ahead of the US presidential election in November and the large number of economic and foreign policy issues it faces make it unlikely that the necessary congressional notification process can move ahead quickly enough to assure a timely sales contract.
“I’d like to see this defense agreement move forward, but I can’t say it looks real optimistic,” Chabot said.
Citing a long list of crucial domestic concerns, Wexler said these issues “consume most of our political high-level energy, so it’s hard to create energy on some other issues ... Realistically, I don’t want to create great expectation for people [in Taiwan].”
Congress is scheduled to recess for a month-long summer holiday at the end of next week and plans to adjourn in early October, giving it only four weeks in session left this year, with lawmakers wanting to go home early to campaign for re-election.
Wang told reporters that in his meetings with officials of the National Security Council, State Department and Pentagon, he stressed not only the cross-strait military aspect of the arms sales issue, but also the political and diplomatic dimensions as well.
He said he told officials that if the US does not sell Taiwan the arms packages for which the Legislative Yuan approved funding last year, it would send a signal to other countries that the US is no longer supporting Taiwan and that would sap support for Taiwan from other countries as well.
However, Wang disclosed that in his talks with US officials, who he did not identify, they pointed out to him items not on Taiwan’s wish list that Taiwan should also have, more up-to-date weapons that Taiwan “did not think of.”
He did not give details.
Wang’s visit appeared to score important points with Washington policymakers, Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), the de-facto Taiwan ambassador to the US, told reporters.
“On the administration side, the key person we met with summed up by saying: ‘Your visit is very helpful.’ And that says just about everything,” Wu said. “On the congressional side, we met with congressional leaders and they said that the visit is wonderful and they took note of [the arms sales], and they want [congressional approval] to be as speedy as possible whenever the administration side sends the notifications. So you can see that Speaker Wang’s visit is very important and very crucial.”
Despite his failure to get the administration to commit to unfreezing the arms packages, Wang told a press conference on Wednesday evening that he detected a positive attitude on the issue among officials he spoke with.
On Wednesday morning, Wang met his US counterpart, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which he called the most “impressive” meeting of his trip. He said he found that she had a “very positive attitude” toward Taiwan and was a big supporter of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, including the WHO.
Wang invited Pelosi to visit Taiwan whenever she is in Asia, citing the precedent of former speaker Newt Gingrich’s visit in 1998. Pelosi said she would consider a visit, Wang said.
[However, Wang disclosed that in his talks with US officials, who he did not identify, they pointed out to him items not on Taiwan’s wish list that Taiwan should also have, more up-to-date weapons that Taiwan “did not think of.”]
No real prospect of arms sales this year: lawmakers
By Charles Snyder
STAFF REPORTER IN WASHINGTON
Friday, Aug 01, 2008, Page 3
Prospects for the US and Taiwan to finalize a contract for the sale of some US$11 billion in frozen arms packages by the end of the year look less than promising, two co-chairmen of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus told Taiwanese reporters on Wednesday, as the lawmakers met on Capitol Hill with visiting Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平).
Republican Steve Chabot and Democrat Robert Wexler both said that the tight timetable Congress faces before its adjournment ahead of the US presidential election in November and the large number of economic and foreign policy issues it faces make it unlikely that the necessary congressional notification process can move ahead quickly enough to assure a timely sales contract.
“I’d like to see this defense agreement move forward, but I can’t say it looks real optimistic,” Chabot said.
Citing a long list of crucial domestic concerns, Wexler said these issues “consume most of our political high-level energy, so it’s hard to create energy on some other issues ... Realistically, I don’t want to create great expectation for people [in Taiwan].”
Congress is scheduled to recess for a month-long summer holiday at the end of next week and plans to adjourn in early October, giving it only four weeks in session left this year, with lawmakers wanting to go home early to campaign for re-election.
Wang told reporters that in his meetings with officials of the National Security Council, State Department and Pentagon, he stressed not only the cross-strait military aspect of the arms sales issue, but also the political and diplomatic dimensions as well.
He said he told officials that if the US does not sell Taiwan the arms packages for which the Legislative Yuan approved funding last year, it would send a signal to other countries that the US is no longer supporting Taiwan and that would sap support for Taiwan from other countries as well.
However, Wang disclosed that in his talks with US officials, who he did not identify, they pointed out to him items not on Taiwan’s wish list that Taiwan should also have, more up-to-date weapons that Taiwan “did not think of.”
He did not give details.
Wang’s visit appeared to score important points with Washington policymakers, Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), the de-facto Taiwan ambassador to the US, told reporters.
“On the administration side, the key person we met with summed up by saying: ‘Your visit is very helpful.’ And that says just about everything,” Wu said. “On the congressional side, we met with congressional leaders and they said that the visit is wonderful and they took note of [the arms sales], and they want [congressional approval] to be as speedy as possible whenever the administration side sends the notifications. So you can see that Speaker Wang’s visit is very important and very crucial.”
Despite his failure to get the administration to commit to unfreezing the arms packages, Wang told a press conference on Wednesday evening that he detected a positive attitude on the issue among officials he spoke with.
On Wednesday morning, Wang met his US counterpart, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which he called the most “impressive” meeting of his trip. He said he found that she had a “very positive attitude” toward Taiwan and was a big supporter of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, including the WHO.
Wang invited Pelosi to visit Taiwan whenever she is in Asia, citing the precedent of former speaker Newt Gingrich’s visit in 1998. Pelosi said she would consider a visit, Wang said.